4th Street Tunnel

July 5, 2004

Under The Bridge

While you can drive a car under the Ben Franklin Bridge at street level from North 3rd Street east, at 4th Street there is a tunnel, closed in the early 1980s, that provided amusement for generations of local kids on bicycles, and aggravation for most adults responsible for public safety. At 5th Street there is a pedestrian tunnel, which is still in use.

2 views of the 4th Street tunnel, looking South. Note the cobblestone paving, and the stairway leading up to the pedestrian walkway on the bridge. Boys and girls from North Camden would take advantage of the ramps to roller skate and bicycle in days gone by.

“You had to cross the railroad tracks on Main street to go or come from tunnel. There were no rail crossing gates, just a railroad crossing with blinking lights and a bell. A lot of guys would hop those boxcars for a short ride. That was a fun trip, but dangerous.”—John Ciafrani