This 2000 photo shows the eastbound Walt Whitman Bridge Approach (unsigned NJ 76C), which connects the Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76) to US 130 and NJ 168. The approach was to have been part of the Camden Inner Loop (5-Mile Loop) Freeway. (Photo by Andy Field and Alex Nitzman.)

THE JERSEY SIDE OF THE FIVE-MILE LOOP: In 1966, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, proposed a freeway loop extending five miles from Philadelphia City Hall comprising of several freeways including the Pulaski Expressway (PA 90), the West Philadelphia Expressway (US 1) and the Cobbs Creek Expressway (I-695). While none of these freeways were constructed, one component of the "five-mile-loop" plan - the Betsy Ross (Delair) Bridge - was completed in 1976.

During the late 1960's and early 1970's, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) proposed an extension of a "five-mile-loop" freeway around Camden to relieve congestion on I-295 and US 130. Beginning at the Walt Whitman Bridge approach in Gloucester City, the Camden Inner Loop Freeway was to be routed partly along the existing Cuthbert Boulevard. Continuing north, the freeway was to provide connections with US 130, US 30, NJ 70 and NJ 38 before ending at the NJ 90 Freeway approach to the Betsy Ross Bridge.

The DVRPC scheduled the proposed eight-mile-long, $43 million Camden Inner Loop Freeway for completion by 1975. However, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) neither made specific plans for the Camden Inner Loop Freeway, nor approved the DVRPC proposal. Although the proposed freeway had no known route designation, the existing Walt Whitman Bridge approach that was used be used for the freeway is designated "NJ 76C."

SOURCES: "Philadelphia's Comprehensive Plan for Expressways," Philadelphia City Planning Commission (1966); 1985 Regional Transportation Plan, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (1969); "Schuylkill Carries the Load of Many Roads Left Unbuilt" by Paul Nussbaum, The Philadelphia Inquirer (8/19/1984); Raymond C. Martin; Alex Nitzman; New Jersey Department of Transportation.

• NJ 76C shield by Ralph Herman.
  

CAMDEN INNER LOOP FREEWAY LINKS:

• NJ 76C (Steve Alpert)
  
• NJ 76C Traffic Counts and Straight-Line Diagram (New Jersey Department of Transportation)
  
• Walt Whitman Bridge Approach (Raymond C. Martin)
  
• Expressway Plans (1974 map) (Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission)
  

• Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76)
  
• Benjamin Franklin Bridge (I-676 and US 30)
  
• Betsy Ross Bridge (NJ 90)
  

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