Didn’t it occur to you that even bridges have stories to tell? Right now we are standing in front of the Holme Avenue Bridge in Philadelphia. This bridge carries Holme Avenue across Wooden Bridge Run. Wooden Bridge Run is a tributary of Pennypack Creek. It is a good example of an urban concrete bridge embellished to imitate stone. But that is not all that makes the Holme Avenue Bridge special.
Let’s dive into the history and architectural features of the Holme Avenue Bridge. The Holme Avenue Bridge was built in 1921. C. P. Boner was the contractor. The Holme Avenue Bridge remains in use today. It is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation.
The total length of the Holme Avenue Bridge is 101.1 feet. That is 30.8 meters. The width of the Holme Avenue Bridge deck is 83.8 feet. That is 25.5 meters. The concrete superstructure includes parapet railings. The railings have pebbled recessed panels. The concrete substructure has smooth abutments. It has etched and pebbled wings. Smooth intrados ribs exist. Etched voussoirs are also present.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission considers this bridge a good example of an urban concrete bridge. It is embellished to imitate stone. It is important not to confuse this bridge with another bridge. There is another Holme Avenue Bridge over Pennypack Creek. That one is about 1000 yards west of Wooden Bridge Run.
In 1988, the Holme Avenue Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This recognizes its significance.
In late 2011, the Holme Avenue Bridge faced serious deterioration. PennDOT closed it for repairs. PennDOT engineer Javier Salgveiro explained the closure. He simply stated that the Holme Avenue Bridge failed. The repairs were initially expected to last until mid-2012. However, the closure caused traffic problems. Detours sent drivers winding through the neighborhood.
To alleviate some of the problems, measures were considered. PennDOT worked with the city and SEPTA. The goal was to make things go as smoothly as possible. PennDOT also planned to alert drivers that businesses were still open. They looked into how best to reroute the detour.
Good news arrived in late 2011. The Holme Avenue Bridge reconstruction project was finishing ahead of schedule. The new Holme Avenue Bridge would open at the end of October. This was two months ahead of schedule. The new bridge would have the same basic design. It would also have improved sidewalks and lighting.
As we conclude our visit to the Holme Avenue Bridge, it stands as a testament to Philadelphia’s history. Its design reflects early 20th-century engineering. The Holme Avenue Bridge is not just a crossing. It is a landmark.