Delair Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delair Bridge |
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The Delair Bridge viewed from the Pennsylvania side
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| Coordinates | 39°58′57″N 75°04′09″W / 39.98250°N 75.06917°W |
| Carries | Trains of New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line and Conrail |
| Crosses | Delaware River |
| Locale | Philadelphia, PA, and Pennsauken Township, NJ |
| Official name | Delair Memorial Railroad Drawbridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Steel Lift Bridge |
| Total length | 4,396 feet (1,340 m) |
| Longest span | 542 feet (165 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | April 19, 1896 |
The Delair Bridge is a special railroad bridge. It has a section that can lift straight up. This bridge crosses the Delaware River. It connects Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.
The bridge is used by different trains. Both freight trains and passenger trains, like the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Line, travel across it. It is located just south of the Betsy Ross Bridge.
The Bridge's Story
The Delair Bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). Construction happened between 1895 and 1896. It was the very first bridge of any kind between Philadelphia and New Jersey. This steel bridge connected PRR train tracks in North Philadelphia to southern New Jersey.
The bridge was originally made of three fixed sections. It also had a "swing-span" part. This part could swing open like a gate to let boats pass. The total length of these main sections was about 1,943 feet (592 meters). Long ramps on both sides made the total length about 4,396 feet (1,340 meters).
How the Bridge Changed
Starting in 1958, the PRR changed the bridge. They turned it into a "vertical-lift" bridge. This means a large section of the bridge lifts straight up. This change allowed even taller ships to pass underneath.
The new lifting part was 542 feet (165 meters) long. It was floated into place in one piece. This helped to install it quickly. The work was finished in 1960. At that time, the Delair Bridge was the longest and heaviest double-track lift bridge in the world.
Electricity and Trains
In the late 1930s, the bridge was set up for electric trains. This allowed electric freight trains to reach the Pavonia Yard in Camden, New Jersey. The electric wires were removed in 1967. They were put back in 1973. However, electric freight trains stopped using the bridge in 1981. The wires were removed permanently a few years later.
Passenger trains stopped using the bridge in 1969. This was when service was cut to Lindenwold station. But passenger service came back in 1989 with Amtrak's Atlantic City Express. Amtrak service ended in 1995. However, New Jersey Transit's Atlantic City Line has used the bridge continuously since 1993.
The bridge has two tracks. The southern track used to be only for freight trains. The northern track was only for the Atlantic City Line. As part of the Pennsauken Transit Center project, platforms were built for both tracks. Now, both tracks can be used by both passenger and freight trains.
Modern Updates
In December 2011, the bridge received a large grant. This was $18.5 million from the United States Department of Transportation. The money was given to the South Jersey Port Corporation. It was used to help fix up and improve the bridge. These important improvements have now been completed.
