India Point Railroad Bridge

The India Point Railroad Bridge spans across the Seekonk River, connecting the cities of Providence and East Providence through steel truss spans and mechanical systems.

Built in 1903 to replace an 1835 covered bridge, this structure served as the first interstate railroad bridge in the United States until its closure in 1974.

The bridge represents early 20th-century engineering methods, incorporating both fixed truss sections and a rotating mechanism that allowed water vessels to pass underneath.

The structure operated as a swing bridge, with its rotating span creating a 38-foot wide channel for boats to navigate through the Seekonk River.

After its decommissioning, the United States Coast Guard labeled the structure as a navigational hazard, leading to the removal of its swing span in 2001.

Official opening: 1903

GPS coordinates: 41.81710,-71.38742

Latest update: March 18, 2025 10:51