Middletown–Portland railroad bridge

The Middletown-Portland railroad bridge is a swing bridge spanning the Connecticut River with a rotating center section that allows train traffic to pass through. It features a Warren truss design and carries freight trains across the river valley.

The bridge was built in 1911 as a replacement for an earlier structure completed in 1873 by the Boston and New York Air-Line Railroad. This modernization reflected growing railroad activity across the Connecticut River valley during the early industrial era.

The bridge structure represents early 20th-century American engineering methods, connecting communities through essential railway infrastructure across the Connecticut River.

The bridge has a 25-foot (7.6 meter) clearance underneath and opens when approaching vessels signal for passage. Visitors can view the structure from surrounding riverbanks, though direct pedestrian access to the bridge itself is not available.

The bridge's rotating center span can open independently to allow larger boats passage while keeping the rail tracks elevated above the river. This early 20th-century design represents an engineering solution where two competing transportation needs had to coexist on the same waterway.

Location: Connecticut

GPS coordinates: 41.56670,-72.64780

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:43