ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 169

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 1, 2026

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Joint Resolution No. 169.

      This joint resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, originally named the Delaware River Bridge, is a suspension bridge spanning the Delaware River and connecting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey.  The Benjamin Franklin Bridge was constructed by Ralph Modjeski and designed by Paul Philippe Cret and Leon Moisseiff.  It was constructed over four years, and the original construction used 70,851 tons of steel.  The Benjamin Franklin Bridge first opened to traffic on July 1, 1926, and at the time of its opening it held the title of the world’s longest suspension bridge.  The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is managed by the Delaware River Port Authority.

      The Benjamin Franklin Bridge serves as vital transportation infrastructure for New Jersey and provides vehicle lanes, the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) transit line, and a walkway that can be used by pedestrians and cyclists.  In 2024, two-way traffic that crossed the Benjamin Franklin Bridge totaled 34.1 million vehicles.

      The Benjamin Franklin Bridge was one of the single most influential structures in the development of Camden, New Jersey and the surrounding area.  In addition to being crucial infrastructure for New Jersey, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge is also a popular cultural symbol, often appearing in films and television shows.

      The 100-year legacy of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge combines a vital transportation link for the State with history, beauty, and engineering prowess.  The Benjamin Franklin Bridge continues to be a recognizable and important symbol for New Jersey.