Rapallo Viaduct

The Rapallo Viaduct spans Flat Brook using engineering methods typical of late 19th-century railroad construction in New England. The original wrought iron structure remains buried beneath sand and cinders, now supporting the Air Line Trail above it.

Engineer Edward W. Serrell designed and built the viaduct in 1873 to improve train connections between Boston and New York City via the New Haven Railroad. This project marked a significant advancement in regional rail infrastructure at that time.

The structure takes its name from Charles A. Rapallo, a railroad director who played a role in shaping transportation development in Connecticut during the industrial era. The naming reflects the influence of key figures in the region's railroad expansion.

The viaduct is now part of the Air Line Trail, a walking path that runs across the hidden structure. Visitors can explore this area on foot while experiencing the historic engineering below the surface.

The original construction plans called for double tracks, but engineer Serrell modified the design to single track specifications after his structural calculations. This change made the project more practical and economical to build.

Location: Connecticut

Architects: Edward W. Serrell

GPS coordinates: 41.57194,-72.47194

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20