Housatonic River Railroad Bridge, Railway bridge across Housatonic River, Connecticut.
The Housatonic River Railroad Bridge is a steel structure crossing the river near Naugatuck Junction, featuring a Warren truss design supported by stone piers. The bridge includes a movable bascule section in its center that allows boat traffic to pass through.
This bridge was completed in 1906 by the American Bridge Company and represents the fourth railroad crossing built at this location. Earlier bridges dating from 1848, 1872, and 1884 had been damaged or destroyed and needed replacement.
The bridge carries the name of the river it crosses and stands as a reminder of the region's industrial past. It shapes how people travel through this part of Connecticut and connects communities on either side of the water.
This bridge carries regular train traffic from Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak, so visitors should be aware of frequent rail activity. The best viewing spots are from nearby roads or the riverbank areas, where you can see the structure clearly without interfering with train operations.
What makes this bridge special is its Scherzer bascule lift system, which raises the middle section to allow boats to pass through when needed. This movable span design is uncommon and reflects advanced engineering from the early 1900s.
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