Police block Ben Franklin Bridge for hours after man's body found on roadway

After a man's body was found on the Ben Franklin Bridge, police blocked several lanes of traffic heading into Philadelphia for hours Thursday morning, slowing traffic. Once the morning commute ended, all New Jersey-bound lanes were also briefly closed.

An unidentified man's body was found on the westbound (Philadelphia-bound) lanes of the bridge just before 5 a.m., the Delaware River Port Authority -- which operates the span between New Jersey and Pennsylvania -- said.

At least three lanes were blocked at one point as police investigated.

The DRPA posted on social media around 7 a.m. that drivers should seek alternate routes.

Ben Franklin Bridge Travel Alert:

Expect heavy delays WB into Philly due to police activity. Seek alternative route at this time, if possible.

— Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) (@DRPA_PAandNJ) October 12, 2023

Lanes on the bridge remained closed through the morning rush, the DRPA said.

Just after 9 a.m., the DRPA said that the police investigation on the bridge had all eastbound lanes closed and only one westbound lane getting by.

⚠️ Ben Franklin Bridge Travel Alert Update:

*All EB lanes into NJ are closed at this time as part of police investigation*

Only 1 WB lane into Philly remains open at this time due to police activity

— Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) (@DRPA_PAandNJ) October 12, 2023

All lanes in both directions of the bridge finally reopened around 9:20 a.m., the DRPA posted on X -- the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Ben Franklin Bridge Travel Alert Update:

✅All WB lanes into Philly are reopened at this time, but residual delays remain

✅Normal travel operations have resumed on the EB lanes into NJ

— Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) (@DRPA_PAandNJ) October 12, 2023

Drivers heading into or out of Philly were urged to use the Walt Whitman Bridge to the south and Betsy Ross Bridge to the north to get into Philly from South Jersey. They could use those spans to then access Interstate 95, I-76 and other roads.

The cause of death for the person found on the bridge would be determined by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office, the DRPA said.

"Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact DRPA Police at (856) 968-3301," the DRPA said.