Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, Bridge at West Falls

The Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Bridge is a railway crossing with 51 concrete arches spanning the Susquehanna River between Lemoyne and Harrisburg. It features dual tracks designed for freight operations and remains in regular use today for moving rail cargo across the region.

The original bridge was constructed between 1866 and 1867 as a significant engineering achievement of its era. From 1920 to 1924, it underwent substantial reconstruction that replaced iron trusses with concrete arches while trains continued to operate through the project.

The bridge served as a vital link connecting communities on opposite sides of the river, enabling workers to commute between Lemoyne and Harrisburg for jobs. Generations of residents grew up with the sound of passing trains, which became part of the local soundscape and routine.

The bridge is not open to the public as it operates exclusively for freight trains managed by Norfolk Southern Railway. The best views come from the riverbanks or nearby streets where you can observe the structure from a distance.

Inside the modern concrete arches lie original stone masonry piers from the 1800s, revealing how engineers incorporated earlier structures into a longer-lasting design. This layering of old and new construction techniques shows practical problem-solving from over a century ago.