Built in 1888, this bridge was considered an engineering marvel of the day and has 6 main spans. Total length is 6747 feet including approaches. The deck is 212 feet above water. It is a multispan cantilever bridge, it has three river crossing cantilever spans of 525 feet; 2 anchor spans of 525 feet, 2,200 foot shore spans and a 2,654 approach span on the eastern shore.
It formed part of the most direct rail route between the industrial Northeastern states and the Midwestern and Western states.