Site Navigation Connecticut Maine Massachusetts New Hampshire New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont     Vine Street Expressway Interstate 676 provides an urban loop of Interstate 76 through downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey. The freeway utilizes the Vine Street Expressway between Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. A non-standard connection exists between the bridge and freeway however including a traffic light for westbound drivers at Seventh Street in Philadelphia. Interstate 676 overlaps with U.S. 30 from Interstate 76 east to the first Camden, New Jersey interchange. The route carries a $3 passenger car toll for westbound drivers across the Delaware River but otherwise is a free highway. Until 1976, Interstate 76 and 676 were swapped between the Vine Street Expressway/Ben Franklin Bridge and Schuylkill Expressway/Walt Whitman Bridge. In the 1960s Interstate 676 was designated Interstate 680 as Interstate 76 was still proposed as Interstate 80S. Interstate 695 was to tie into Interstate 76 north of Interstate 675 to provide a loop west of downtown between the Schuylkill Expressway and Interstate 95 at the Philadelphia International Airport. Plans for the Crosstown Expressway were dropped in the 1970s. The guides to Interstate 676 are split between three components: Interstate 676 New Jersey Interstate 676 & U.S. Highway 30 Eastbound Pennsylvania Interstate 676 & U.S. Highway 30 Westbound Pennsylvania Benjamin Franklin Bridge Originally known as the Delaware River Bridge, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge opened to traffic at midnight July 1, 1926. Four days later on July 5 President Calvin Coolidge officially dedicated the world's longest suspension bridge. Three years later the span was surpassed as the world's lengthiest by the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, Michigan.1 The beginnings of the bridge date back to the 1800s when a narrow mile-long island on the Delaware River was removed to allow for uninterrupted ferry crossings and an eventual bridge between the cities of Camden and Philadelphia. In 1919, the Delaware River Bridge Joint Commission was created by the respective state legislatures to share the costs of the future crossing. It was thought that the suspension bridge would cost $29 million to construct. However actual figures soared to $37,103,765.42.1 Concessions were made to the area neighborhoods that were in the path of the new span. The St. George's Church on Fourth Street was one of the structures spared demolition. Angry protesters demanded the 1769 constructed church be spared and eventually persuaded the Bridge Commission to move the bridge slightly southward by 14 feet. By September 29, 1921 all land was approved by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Secretary of War for the bridge construction. Work commenced on January 6, 1922.1 The bridges are supported by two concrete piers resting in bedrock on each side of the Delaware River. The uppermost third of the supports are built with granite blocks. On the Philadelphia side of the river the pier extends 80 feet from the bedrock below. The Camden side support however is 113 feet in height due to the deeper nature of the river there. Flexible silicon steel composes the material used for each of the 350' towers of the Ben Franklin Bridge. 3550' long cables stretch across the river to support the bridge deck itself. Six toll houses including ten booths were constructed on the east side of the span. From start to finish including the toll barrier the bridge is 9,620 feet in length.1 On January 17, 1956 the bridge was rededicated the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.1 A lighting system along the bridge highlights not only the bridge deck but the towers, cables, and pier supports. The lights are changeable and sometimes feature a red-white-blue motif based upon time of year. Additionally the suspension bridge carries two bicycle/pedestrian walkways and two PATCO light rail lines. The 128' wide bridge deck carries seven overall lanes with a movable barrier between the directions of travel. The ramps to and from the city streets of Philadelphia to both the Vine Street Expressway and Benjamin Franklin Bridge were so confusing that we decided to create a map to outline them. Featured below are photographs taken from throughout the area of Franklin Square and the west approach to the Ben Franklin Bridge. Callowhill Street Westbound Traffic eminating from Exit 22 of Interstate 95 north to Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 westbound splits between ramps to the Vine Street Expressway westbound and Callowhill Street westbound. The Callowhill Street westbound off-ramp serves traffic interests to Independence Mall, Chinatown, and Old City via 6th and 8th Streets southbound as well as Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 eastbound across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Pictured here is the sign bridge directing traffic to 6th and 8th Streets at 5th Street. Photo taken 09/18/04. 6th Street Southbound Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 leave the Vine Street Expressway for 6th Street southbound briefly between Callowhill & Race Streets. The ramp onto the Benjamin Franklin Bridge departs 6th Street for Camden, New Jersey ahead of the intersection with Race Street. Independence Mall lies between 5th & 6th Streets to the south of Race Street. Photo taken 09/18/04. 8th Street Southbound 8th Street flows southbound underneath the Vine Street Expressway and its associated ramps before intersecting Race Street. A sign bridge resides at the intersection with Race Street guiding motorists southward to Chinatown and onto Race Street eastbound for the Ben Franklin Bridge. Race Street intersects Independence Mall at Seventh Street where a ramp also travels to Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 eastbound. Photo taken 08/04/04. Race Street Eastbound Traffic destined for Interstate 95 (Delaware Expressway) from the Franklin Square area are afforded a ramp from Seventh Street northbound from the intersection with Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 west. Pictured here is the Race Street eastbound intersection with the northbound ramp to Seventh Street. An overhead guides drivers onto the ramp for Interstate 95 and the upcoming ramp from the Sixth Street intersection to the Ben Franklin Bridge. Photo taken 08/04/04. One block east on Race Street at Sixth Street and the Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 eastbound ramp. Sixth Street flows southbound to Independence Mall. Signs for Independence Mall on the Vine Street Expressway direct motorists to this intersection from the nearby streets. The curved ramp to the left joins ramps from 5th Street north and 6th Street south onto the Delaware River bridge approach. Meanwhile Race Street eastbound continues to Penns Landing and a northbound on-ramp to Interstate 95. Photo taken 08/04/04. Race Street eastbound at 2nd Street near the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Although not readily visible, a northbound on-ramp departs ahead for the Delaware Expressway northbound for Northeast Philadelphia and Trenton, New Jersey. Second Street southbound enters Old City and Society Hill to the right. Photo taken 08/04/04. Race Street ends at Columbus Boulevard along the Delaware River waterfront. The area of Philadelphia along Columbus Boulevard between the bridge and Morris Street is known as Penns Landing. Penns Landing is a hearth of cultural and entertainment for the city of Philadelphia for locals and visitors alike. Columbus Boulevard straddles the river with four to six overall lanes. Photo taken 08/04/04. Fifth Street Northbound Fifth Street northbound splits between a through tunnel and ramp to Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 east on its approach to Race Street. The tube of which 5th Street flows passes underneath the ramps and approach to the Ben Franklin Bridge between Race Street and Vine Street. North of there 5th Street is joined by ramps from Interstate 676 & U.S. 30 west at its intersection with Callowhill Street. Photo taken 08/04/04. Sign bridge at the Fifth Street intersection with Race Street eastbound. Traffic can either continue straight onto the Ben Franklin Bridge eastbound or turn right onto Race Street for Penns Landing and Interstate 95 north. The 5th Street tunnel passes underneath the intersection to the right. Photo taken 08/04/04. Scenes Pertaining to Interstate 676 Peering eastward at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge from the northbound carriageway of Interstate 95 (Delaware Expressway). The bridge is tolled for westbound travelers only. Eastbound tolls were removed in 1992. Photo taken 07/98. Interstate 676 Offsite Links Interstate 676 @ PAHighways.com Interstate 676 @ Interstate-Guide.com Interstate 676 @ Kurumi.com Interstate 676 Vine Street Expressway @ PhillyRoads.com Interstate 676 Benjamin Franklin Bridge @ PhillyRoads.com Interstate 676 New Jersey @ PhillyRoads.com Interstate 676 @ Pennways.com Page Updated February 26, 2005.