Genesee Arch Bridge

The Genesee Arch Bridge is a steel arch railroad crossing that spans the Genesee River within Letchworth State Park and carries Norfolk Southern Railway trains. The structure uses a single graceful arch to support trains across roughly 480 meters of open space above the river gorge.

The first crossing built here in 1852 was made of wood, later replaced by an iron structure in 1875. The current steel arch bridge dates to 2017 and represents the third generation of this railroad crossing over the river.

Engineers and railway enthusiasts regularly visit this location to observe the integration of modern engineering with the natural surroundings of Letchworth State Park.

The best views of the bridge come from the park's hiking trails and overlooks that line the canyon walls. The bridge remains visible year-round from these vantage points, though the park may have reduced services during winter months.

While the new bridge was being built, trains continued running on the old iron structure as the replacement rose alongside it. This required engineering the new crossing to stand just 75 feet away from active rail traffic.

Location: Livingston County

Inception: October 27, 2015

Official opening: December 11, 2017

Length: 480 m

GPS coordinates: 42.57770,-78.04948

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02