India Point Railroad Bridge

The India Point Railroad Bridge was a railway swing bridge spanning the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence with a rotating center section for river traffic. The structure used steel truss spans with a mechanical system that pivoted to allow boats to pass beneath.

Built in 1903, the bridge replaced an earlier covered bridge from 1835 at the same location. It became the first interstate railroad bridge in the United States and operated until its closure in 1974.

The bridge demonstrates early 20th-century engineering approaches that blended railroad and water transport in a single structure. Its design reflected the industrial growth of the region when both rail and shipping were vital to moving goods and people.

The location sits between the two banks of the Seekonk River and is visible from nearby land, though the bridge is no longer open to traffic. Visitors can view the structure best from the water or from nearby shorelines.

After its closure, the United States Coast Guard deemed the structure a navigation hazard, leading to the removal of its rotating span in 2001. The remaining steel framework still bears the marks of this intervention.

Official opening: 1903

GPS coordinates: 41.81710,-71.38742

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:04