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BRIDGE SECTION

The Bridge Section is responsible for bridge, roadway, and retaining wall design. While the unit is an integral part of the Streets Department, it functions as a distinct entity that provides in-house:
  • Structure design
  • Structure ratings
  • Shop drawing review
  • Construction inspection services
  • Construction management
  • Project surveying
  • Boring inspection services
  • City bridge list database management
  • Coordination with geographic information systems unit
  • Structural and technical consulting to other city departments

Hauling Permits

The Bridge Section is also responsible for issuing hauling permits for oversized and overweight vehicular transports. Through an online system clients may apply to obtain a City of Philadelphia Special Hauling Permit allowing one individual vehicle a single one-way move. Close to 10,000 permits are approved annually. To acquire a copy of the 2000 Bridge List, call (215) 686-5546 for details or questions.

Current Projects

Design

  • Willow Grove Avenue over SEPTA
  • Montgomery Avenue over AMTRAK
  • 41st Street over AMTRAK

Construction

  • Walnut Street Bridge Gateway

History

The City of Philadelphia's Bridge Section is over 100 years old and is one of five municipal governmental bridge design offices nationwide. The Bridge Section's inventory consists of over 320 structures, including pedestrian bridges, culverts, and stairways, which have won over 35 local and national awards for exceptional engineering. The unit's design group currently supports two to three bridge projects at a time and has proudly employed Drexel University co-op interns for over 40 years.

Bridges and Awards

40th Street Bridge Reconstruction


Bridge reopened November 2012




Walnut Street Bridge Gateway


Completed September 2012 Work entailed widening existing sidewalks, provided pedestrian scale lighting and signing enhancements plus other traffic improvements.




South Street Bridge

  • DVRPC Honors Regional Programs and Leaders with a Regional Transportation Program of the Year - September 2011
  • Earned 1st place from Roads & Bridges – 2011 Top 10 Bridges



Reopened November 2010

Photos courtesy of Elk Rock Photography.


CSX Connector Bridge

Dedication and Opening October 20, 2012




Construction of 42nd Street Bridge

Reopened 42nd Street Bridge in 2006




Germantown Avenue Bridge over the Wissahickon Creek

  • Transportation Achievement Award for Facilities - TEI - 2004 (N)
  • Excellence in Highway Design (Honorable Mention) - FHWA - 2004 (N)
  • Public Works Project of the Year - APWA - 2003 (N)
  • Project of the Year - ASHE – 2003
  • Public Works Project of the Year - APWA Delaware Valley Chapter – 2003
  • Notable Engineering Achievement - PA Society of Professional Engineers – 2003



Germantown Avenue Bridge over the Wissahickon Creek




Strawberry Mansion Bridge over the Schuylkill River

  • Excellence in Highway Design, Merit Award - Federal Highway Administration - 2002 (N)
  • Prize Bridge - Reconstructed, Merit Award - National Steel Bridge Alliance - 2002 (N)
  • PA Partnership for Highway Quality Awards (Structures over 150) - PennDOT – 2002
  • Diamond Award - Council of Engineering Companies – 2002
  • Notable Engineering Achievement - PA Society of Professional Engineers – 2002
  • Good Wood Award - Certified Forest Products Council - 2002 (N)
  • Preservation Achievement Award - Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia – 2002
  • Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award - PA Historical & Museum Commission – 2002
  • Edwin F. Guth Award of Merit - Illuminating Engineering Society of North America - 2002 (N)





Strawberry Mansion Bridge over the Schuylkill River

Gowen Avenue Bridge over SEPTA

  • Design Award for Excellence - Precast/Pre stressed Concrete Institute - 2002 (N)



Gowen Avenue Bridge over SEPTA




Girard Avenue Bridge over the Schuylkill River

  • Prize Bridge, Merit Award - American Institute of Steel Construction 1970 (N)
  • Welding Award - James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Award 1968 (N)



Girard Avenue Bridge over the Schuylkill River




Spring Garden Street Bridge over West River Drive and the Schuylkill River

  • Prize Bridge, Merit Award - American Institute of Steel Construction 1966 (N)
  • Welding Award - James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Award 1966 (N)


Spring Garden Street Bridge over West River Drive and the Schuylkill River



 
ALERTS

2013 Tire Round-Up Program
To address the serious problem of illegally discarded tires in Philadelphia the Sanitation Division hosts the Tire Round-Up Program series during the summer. This six week program serves as one of several initiatives to address illegal dumping.

Click here for details.


STREETS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ALONG STENTON AND GODFREY AVENUES CORRIDOR
Project Will Begin July 2013

Philadelphia - Notice to proceed for the Traffic Signal Improvement Project along Stenton and Godfrey Avenues Corridor will be issued on Monday, June 10, and actual construction is expected to start by July, Acting Streets Commissioner David J. Perri announced today. The goal of the project is to improve roadway and traffic safety for both motorists and pedestrians along the Stenton and Godfrey Avenues corridors. The project is expected to be completed by April 2014.

Work will take place along Stenton Avenue from Evergreen Avenue to Broad Street, and along Godfrey Avenue from Broad Street to Front Street. The work will consist of replacing all signal equipment and interconnect a total of twenty-nine (29) intersections along five miles of Stenton and Godfrey Avenues. It will include the installation of new traffic signals, street lights, ADA compliant curb ramps and curb line modifications and sidewalks at several locations, as well as the construction of green stormwater infrastructure at the intersection of Stenton Avenue and Washington Lane.

Work will be performed by Carusone Construction, Inc. The amount of the construction contract is $6.9m, and is being funded through a federal grant, using 80% federal and 20% City Capital funds.

The Streets Department thanks the citizens in advance for their patience and cooperation during this project.



STREETS DEPARTMENT SCHEDULES EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO 52ND STREET DUE TO RECENT SEVERE RAINFALL
Rescheduled Opening for Monday, June 17

PHILADELPHIA - The temporary closure of the southbound lane of 52nd Street from Haverford Avenue to Race Street for roadway repairs has been extended to Monday, June 17, Acting Streets Commissioner David Perri announced today. Inclement weather forecasted for Thursday, June 13 will delay the completion and opening of the roadway.

The temporary closure will allow the Streets Department crews to make necessary roadway repairs to southbound 52nd Street. The work has been scheduled for a full closure due to the street defects in the southbound lane. Motorists are encouraged to use the posted detours. Northbound 52nd Street should not be affected.

The Streets Department regrets the inconvenience to residents and businesses, and thanks citizens in advance for their patience and cooperation during this project.



STREETS DEPARTMENT SCHEDULES REPAIRS FOR N. 5TH STREET AT RACE STREET
Ben Franklin Bridge Ramp Temporarily Closed Beginning Saturday, June 1

PHILADELPHIA - N. 5th St. at Race St. will be temporarily closed to traffic from Saturday, June 1st, at 7 AM to Monday, June 3rd at 12:00 PM for necessary roadway repairs, Streets Commissioner David Perri announced today. If the work is completed sooner than expected, the roadway may open earlier. This work will close the ramp to the Ben Franklin Bridge for the weekend.

This work has been scheduled for a full closure on a weekend so the crews can repair the roadway in an expeditious and safe manner to both the Streets Department crews and motoring public. Motorists are encouraged to use the 7th St entrance to the Ben Franklin Bridge during the closure.

The Streets Department thanks citizens in advance for their patience and cooperation during this project.


STREETS DEPARTMENT REOPENS 15TH STREET BRIDGE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Vehicle Weight Restriction Established

PHILADELPHIA - The 15th Street Bridge between Callowhill and Spring Garden Streets opened to vehicular traffic today, with a "three-ton, no trucks or bus weight restrictions," Streets Commissioner David J. Perri announced today. All trucks, buses and other heavy vehicles are required to detour to alternate travel routes for the entire length of the bridge.

The bridge was closed January 2013 due to severe deterioration to a section of the bridge. The Streets Department's Bridge Maintenance Unit re-enforced this section to strengthen the bridge.

The Streets Department thanks citizens for their patience and cooperation during this project.

 

NEWS
06/17/2013
STREETS DEPARTMENT TO RAISE PASSYUNK AVENUE DRAWBRIDGE
06/12/2013
STREETS DEPARTMENT SCHEDULES EMERGENCY REPAIRS TO 52ND STREET DUE TO RECENT SEVERE RAINFALL
06/12/2013
Streets Department’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Opportunity for Residents to Earn 25 Recycling Rewards Points
06/10/2013
Streets Department's Sanitation Division Community Meeting Schedule
06/10/2013
STREETS DEPARTMENT SCHEDULES MAINTENANCE WORK ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE BRIDGE

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EVENTS
05/10/2012 - 05/19/2012
2012 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM
04/19/2013
City Of Philadelphia Announces 11 Local Schools Receive Recyclebank Green Schools Program Grants - Philadelphia, in partnership with Recyclebank, awards not only schools but generous residents as well.

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KUDOS
06/12/2013
2683 Foxglove Lane
05/30/2013
Streets Department Crew
05/30/2013
13th & South Sts
05/29/2013
Streets Department Website
05/24/2013
Southwest Philly

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