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Released: 10/31/2018 

New Murals Craft A Better Transportation Experience


The public is invited to see the artwork up close during a dedication event on Saturday, November 3rd

The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) announced today the completion of two new murals, which adorn the walls of the 5th Street Vehicular and Pedestrian Tunnels located beneath the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia. The murals serve as visual enhancements for the surrounding community and utilize art to craft a better transportation experience for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. The designs also pay homage to past and present behind-the-scenes bridge workers, celebrate the varied communities linked by DRPA bridges and promote the Authority’s mission of stewardship, service and community.

“These murals will hopefully serve as an enduring monument to the DRPA’s transportation mission, the legacies of our current, past and future generations of employees who work hard every day to deliver public services, and to the communities we serve,” said DRPA CEO John Hanson.

The murals were created in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and were commissioned from local artists Brad Carney, Melissa Mandel and Mat Tomeszko. The final designs were selected from six design submissions and community feedback played a role in the final decision on which murals were commissioned. Carney and Mandel collaborated on a detailed whimsical design for the pedestrian tunnel which occupies two 1,000 square foot areas, while Tomezsko created a 1,500 square foot colorful, symmetrical mural for the vehicular tunnel.

A dedication event for the murals is scheduled for Saturday, November 3rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5th & Race Streets in Philadelphia. The dedication provides an opportunity for the public to see the murals and an opportunity to meet the artists. The family-friendly event is free and will also feature food vendors, face painting, music and more. For additional information, visit www.muralarts.org/events/mural-dedication-5th-street-tunnels/

Event Schedule for Saturday, November 3

  • 11:00 a.m.     Event starts with music, face painting, chalk activities and food vendors.
  • 11:20 a.m.     Dedication Remarks
    • Jane Golden, Executive Director, Mural Arts Philadelphia (Emcee)
    • John Hanson, CEO, DRPA/President, PATCO
    • Valerie Bradford, DRPA Bridge Director, Ben Franklin & Betsy Ross Bridges
    • Brad Carney, Muralist
    • Melissa Mandel, Muralist
    • Mat Tomezsko, Muralist
  • 11:40 a.m.     Ribbon Cutting
  • 11:45 a.m.     Performance by the West Powelton Steppers
  • 11:50 a.m.     Mural tours conducted by the artists
  • 2:00 p.m.       Event concludes

 

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