Michigan Central Railway Bridge

The Michigan Central Railway Bridge is a steel arch structure spanning the Niagara Gorge to connect New York and Ontario. The design features a grand arch that curves above the ravine, supporting a deck that once carried two railway tracks side by side.

An earlier cantilever bridge opened at this location in 1883 to serve growing trade between the two nations. The current arch bridge replaced it in 1924 as a more durable structure capable of handling heavier train traffic.

The bridge served as a crucial crossing point for commerce and people moving between two nations for much of the 20th century. It stands today as a reminder of how railways shaped economic life on both sides of the border.

The bridge sits near Niagara Falls and is visible from several scenic overlooks where visitors can photograph it from different angles. Walking paths along the gorge rim provide close views of the structure and the engineering details that make it noteworthy.

Though train service stopped in 1990, the bridge remains a striking example of 1920s steel engineering and draws the attention of industrial archaeology enthusiasts. Its design solved one of the era's toughest structural challenges using methods that were cutting-edge at the time.

Location: New York

Inception: 1925

Official opening: 1925

Length: 263 m

GPS coordinates: 43.10850,-79.05840

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02