DRPA Invites Public to Celebrate the Ben Franklin Bridge’s 100th Anniversary July 11

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Released: 6/30/2026

DRPA Invites Public to Celebrate the Ben Franklin Bridge's 100th Anniversary July 11

Free, family-friendly event features a rare opportunity to walk the iconic bridge roadway.

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) invites the public to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Ben Franklin Bridge during a free, family-friendly celebration on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Camden side of the Ben Franklin Bridge near the toll plaza.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged to help DRPA prepare for the event and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all attendees. Register at www.drpa.org/BFB100.

The Ben Franklin Bridge officially celebrates its 100th Anniversary on July 1, 2026. The public celebration will take place on Saturday, July 11, giving families and visitors from throughout the region an opportunity to commemorate the milestone together.

For a century, the Ben Franklin Bridge has connected communities, strengthened the regional economy, and become one of the Delaware Valley's most recognizable landmarks. Since opening on July 1, 1926, the bridge has served as a vital transportation link between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, carrying millions of travelers while standing as a symbol of innovation, progress, and regional connectivity.

Today, the Ben Franklin Bridge carries more than 34 million vehicles annually while also serving PATCO trains, pedestrians, and cyclists, making it one of the busiest multimodal transportation crossings in the region.

For this special event, the Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic, giving visitors a rare opportunity to walk the bridge roadway and enjoy panoramic views of the Philadelphia and Camden skylines from a perspective typically reserved for motorists.

"For 100 years, the Ben Franklin Bridge has stood as more than a crossing over the Delaware River. It is a public promise," said John T. Hanson, DRPA Chief Executive Officer. "It reminds us that public investment matters, that our communities are connected, and that we all depend on one another. For a century, generations of DRPA employees have honored that promise by caring for, maintaining, and improving this remarkable bridge. We are proud to invite the public to celebrate its past, recognize those who have preserved it, and look ahead to the next 100 years."

Attendees can enjoy:

• Walking the Ben Franklin Bridge roadway
• Food trucks and local vendors
• Live entertainment featuring a DJ and performances by local dance groups
• Family-friendly activities, including face painting, inflatables, games, and Touch-a-Truck
• Historical exhibits highlighting the bridge's design, construction, and evolution
• One of the four original Winged Victory statues that stood atop the bridge when it opened in 1926
• Remarks from the Mayors of Philadelphia and Camden, along with other invited dignitaries

The celebration will take place on the Camden side of the bridge near the toll plaza.

Know Before You Go

• Admission: The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged to help DRPA prepare for the event and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all attendees. To register, click here.
• Date & Time: Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Rain or Shine: The event will be held rain or shine.
• What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are recommended.
• Getting There:
  • PATCO: Attendees are encouraged to ride PATCO and exit at City Hall Station. PATCO will operate enhanced service with trains every 15 minutes throughout the celebration.
  • Driving: Expect road closures around the Ben Franklin Bridge. Parking will be available at the Camden Technology Center Parking Garage (paid), select Rutgers University lots (free), and on-street metered parking (paid).
  • Complimentary Shuttle Service: Shuttle service will operate throughout the event between City Hall Station and the event entrance, and between the Philadelphia Bridge Plaza and the event for attendees arriving from the Pennsylvania side or from Franklin Square Station.
  • Road Closures: Expect road closures around the Ben Franklin Bridge. Parking will be available at the Camden Technology Center Parking Garage (paid), select Rutgers University lots (free), and on-street metered parking (paid).
• Prohibited Items: Weapons, illegal substances, alcohol, fireworks, drones, and pets are not permitted. Bicycles are permitted only on the Ben Franklin Bridge roadway and are not permitted within the festival area. Skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, and similar devices are not permitted anywhere on the event grounds. Pets are not permitted.

Free registration and additional event details are available here.

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