Calhoun Street Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calhoun Street Bridge |
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Bridge seen from Morrisville, Pennsylvania
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| Coordinates | 40°13′12″N 74°46′40″W / 40.22001°N 74.77787°W |
| Carries | Light vehicle traffic, streetcars (until 1940) |
| Crosses | Delaware River |
| Locale | Morrisville, Pennsylvania and Trenton, New Jersey |
| Official name | Calhoun Street Toll Supported Bridge |
| Maintained by | Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge |
| Material | Iron |
| Total length | 1,274 feet (388.3 m) |
| Number of spans | 7 |
| Load limit | 3 short tons (2.7 t) |
| Clearance above | 8 feet (2.4 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | October 24, 1884 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 18,000 |
| Toll | None (3 Ton Weight Limit) |
The Calhoun Street Toll Supported Bridge is a cool old bridge. It connects Trenton, New Jersey to Morrisville, Pennsylvania. This bridge crosses the Delaware River. It's also known as the Trenton City Bridge.
The bridge was built in 1884. The Phoenix Bridge Company made it. For a while, it was part of the famous Lincoln Highway. This was one of America's first cross-country roads. Later, the highway moved to a different bridge. Before 1940, even trolleys used this bridge!
Today, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission owns the bridge. They keep it in good shape. They use money from tolls on other bridges to do this.
Contents
What is the Calhoun Street Bridge?
The Calhoun Street Bridge is a historic structure. It helps people travel between two states. It connects Calhoun Street in Trenton, New Jersey. It also connects to East Trenton Avenue in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. It's a very important link for local travel.
How Old is the Calhoun Street Bridge?
This bridge is quite old! It opened on October 24, 1884. That makes it over 135 years old. It has seen a lot of history.
Who Built the Calhoun Street Bridge?
The Phoenix Bridge Company built this bridge. They were a well-known company back then. They were located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. They were experts at building strong bridges.
Bridge History and Changes
The Calhoun Street Bridge has changed over time. It was once a key part of a major highway. It also carried different types of traffic.
Lincoln Highway Connection
From its opening until 1920, the bridge was part of the Lincoln Highway. This was a very important road. It stretched across the United States. In 1920, the highway moved to the nearby Lower Trenton Bridge. That bridge did not charge a toll.
Trolleys and Traffic
Before 1940, the bridge was busy with trolleys. These electric streetcars carried people. They traveled between Trenton and Pennsylvania. After 1940, only cars and light vehicles used the bridge.
Recent Renovations
The bridge needed some important repairs. So, it closed on May 24, 2010. Workers fixed the metal frame. They also repainted it. The bridge deck, where cars drive, was replaced. The paths leading to the bridge were also repaired. The project finished quickly. The bridge reopened on October 8, 2010. A special ceremony happened on October 12.
Bridge Restrictions and Use
The Calhoun Street Bridge has rules for safety. These rules help keep everyone safe. They also protect the old bridge.
Weight and Speed Limits
Currently, there are limits for vehicles. Cars must drive slowly, at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h). Vehicles also cannot be too heavy. The weight limit is 3 short tons (2.7 t). This helps protect the bridge's structure.
Height Clearance
There is also a height limit. Vehicles taller than 8 feet (2.4 m) cannot cross. This is because of the bridge's design. It has a low overhead structure.
Connecting Trails
The Calhoun Street Bridge is part of a cool trail system. It connects parts of the East Coast Greenway. This is a huge trail! It stretches 3,000-mile-long (4,800 km). It goes all the way from Maine to Florida. The bridge helps walkers and bikers cross the river.
