Lower Trenton Bridge

The Lower Trenton Toll Supported Bridge, often called the Lower Free Bridge, Warren Street Bridge, or Trenton Makes Bridge, is a two-lane Pennsylvania (Petit) through truss bridge. It crosses the Delaware River, connecting Trenton, New Jersey, with Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

This bridge is operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. It is famous for the large sign on its south side that reads, "TRENTON MAKES - THE WORLD TAKES", which was put up in 1935.

As well as being an important way to travel between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the bridge is a well-known landmark in Trenton. It is signed as US 1 Business, although it does not officially carry that route.

The Lower Trenton Bridge is the southernmost free crossing of the Delaware River. No toll is collected here, unlike other crossings further downstream, where a fee is required when traveling west away from New Jersey.

History

The Lower Trenton Bridge started as a toll bridge run by the Trenton Delaware Bridge Company. It opened on January 30, 1806, and was the very first bridge to cross the Delaware River.

In 1835, the Camden and Amboy Rail Road bought the bridge to help end a rivalry with another railroad. Soon after, they added tracks for trains, making it the first railroad bridge in the United States used for travel between states. Over the years, the bridge was rebuilt several times to handle more train traffic. In 1918, the bridge was sold to the state governments, and tolls were removed. The famous sign that reads "TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES" was added in 1935.

Appearances in popular culture

The famous "TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES" sign has appeared in many movies, TV shows, and other media. You can spot it at the end of the 1954 film Human Desire starring Glenn Ford, in the 1983 movie Baby, It's You, and in several other films like Stealing Home, Rocket Science, and One for the Money.

It has also been featured in music videos, album covers, TV episodes, and even in speeches, showing how well-known this bridge and its motto are.