South Street Bridge (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

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The South Street bridge is a traffic and pedestrian bridge spanning the Schuylkill Expressway (Interstate 76) and the Schuylkill River. It connects the University City section, particularly the University of Pennsylvania campus' entrance (to its west) with the southwest center city and Graduate Hospital sections of Philadelphia (to its east). The "South Street" exit of Interstate 76 places motorists atop the structure, near its westernmost terminus.

While carrying South Street throughout its length, South Street ultimately turns into Spruce Street upon entering University City. Locals find that the bridge is a "great place to watch sunset reflect off the glass office towers in Center City."

In the early 2000s, the bridge was plagued with structural problems in the form of debris crumbling off of the bridge and into the interstate's travel lanes below. As such, bus routes that had typically used the bridge were rerouted, and a weight restriction was placed onto it. Tractor-trailers, buses, and other large vehicles were not permitted to cross the structure.

In December 2008, the bridge was officially closed to all traffic for two years. The crumbling structure was completely demolished and a new span will be built.