Sakonnet River Rail Bridge, Railway bridge in Portsmouth, US
The Sakonnet River Rail Bridge was a railway bridge spanning the Sakonnet River between Portsmouth and Tiverton, measuring approximately 1900 meters in total length. The structure featured a swing design that allowed sections to rotate for vessel passage.
The Pennsylvania Steel Company constructed this swing bridge in 1899, creating the only rail connection between Aquidneck Island and the mainland for many decades. Operations ceased in 1980 after an overweight military cargo train damaged the structure, with demolition following between 2006 and 2007.
The Portsmouth Historical Society maintains a circular section of the original bridge structure, displayed permanently in the Old Town Hall museum collection.
The bridge is no longer passable today but remains visible from several vantage points in the surrounding area, with the best views available from the shores of the Sakonnet River. The location is easily accessible and offers good spots to observe what remains of the structure.
The structure employed a swing mechanism where one section remained anchored while another portion moved to create passage for water vessels. This engineering solution allowed trains and ships to share the same space.
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