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Released: 10/9/2025 

Building Bridges to the Future – Youth Exploration Program Welcomes Mastery Gratz Students

On September 19, DRPA’s Youth Exploration Program (YEP) welcomed a group of 10th-grade students from Mastery Charter School – Simon Gratz Campus for an educational visit to the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Established in 2018, the Youth Exploration Program is a DRPA community education initiative developed in collaboration with multiple Authority departments. It is designed to promote awareness and spark interest among middle and high school students in careers related to transportation, bridges, engineering, and public safety. As part of this initiative, students participate in hands-on, STEM-focused activities, visit DRPA bridges and PATCO facilities, and learn from experts in various fields.

Lieutenant John Santry opened the session with an overview of what it means to serve as an officer at the Authority, highlighting the DRPA Police Department’s commitment to ensuring safety and security across our facilities. Students also heard from Principal Engineer Mike Howard, who discussed the bridge’s architecture, design, maintenance, and structural integrity.

Now approaching its 100th anniversary, the Ben Franklin Bridge remains one of the region’s most iconic landmarks- carrying more than 34 million vehicles across the Delaware River each year and serving as a vital connection between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

A highlight of the visit was a guided walk across the bridge, where students observed the bridge’s structure up close and watched a PATCO train in motion. The group impressed the DRPA team with their enthusiasm and thoughtful questions, including inquiries about cable strength, foundation depth, construction timelines, and daily maintenance needs.

Reflecting on the visit, Mike Howard noted that with each YEP session, students continue to become more inquisitive and engaged in learning about engineering and public safety at DRPA. The Authority is proud to be part of the community and to help inspire and educate the next generation of leaders.

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