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.
- 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