Wilmington Rail Viaduct, Railway viaduct in Wilmington, Delaware.
The Wilmington Rail Viaduct spans approximately 4 miles through Wilmington, Delaware, featuring earth-filled sections supported by heavy stone retaining walls combined with steel plate girder bridges over city streets and brick arch viaduct segments.
Constructed between 1902 and 1908 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, this viaduct was built to eliminate dangerous grade crossings and improve rail line safety and efficiency, prompting additional urban developments including the Wilmington Shops and elevated station facilities.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the viaduct exemplifies early 20th-century railway engineering practices and has become an integral part of Wilmington's urban identity, visually separating the waterfront from inland areas.
The structure continues to serve Amtrak's Northeast Corridor trains today, providing vital rail connectivity while remaining accessible for observation from several vantage points around the city, especially near the Wilmington Amtrak Station.
The viaduct includes a historic swing bridge over the Brandywine Creek manufactured by Phoenix Bridge Company, featuring a pivoting design with ice protection measures that was essential for navigational purposes in what were considered navigable waters at the time.
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