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Released: 7/22/2025 

DRPA Showcases Engineering Innovation Ahead of Ben Franklin Bridge Centennial

As the bridge nears 100 years old, DRPA showcases modern preservation methods at international conference 

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) recently participated in the International Bridge Conference (IBC), held July 14–16 in Pittsburgh, PA. Hosted by the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, the IBC is recognized globally as a premier event for bridge owners, designers, engineers, and industry professionals. The IBC is the pre-eminent arena for the bridge industry in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa.
 
As part of the conference’s program, Elisabeth Klawunn, P.E., DRPA’s Manager of Construction & Maintenance in the Engineering Division, joined Joshua Pudleiner, P.E. from AECOM to present on their technical paper co-authored with Tyler Pritz, P.E. and Elizabeth Lucchesi from AECOM documenting the recent successful implementation of a main cable dehumidification system on the iconic Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
  
Opened in 1926, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Spanning the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden, the bridge carries Interstate 676/US Route 30 and serves as a vital transportation link for the region. Supporting three modes of transportation, the bridge accommodates more than 34 million vehicles annually, PATCO trains, and a pedestrian walkway that offers breathtaking views of the river and city skylines. 
 
Klawunn’s session, “Constructing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge’s Dehumidification System”, explored the complexities of installing a system designed to prevent corrosion and extend the life of the bridge’s original high-strength steel cables. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge became the first previously linseed oiled suspension bridge in the U.S. to receive such a system—part of a multi-year, $216.9 million rehabilitation effort that began in 2020 and was substantially completed in 2025. 

Klawunn and Pudleiner shared lessons learned and technical insights to support other bridge owners considering similar preservation strategies. The session highlighted DRPA’s proactive approach to infrastructure stewardship and its commitment to long-term resiliency. 

Participation in events like the IBC underscores DRPA’s role as a leader in engineering excellence, regional connectivity, and the preservation of historic transportation assets.

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