Alfred H. Smith Memorial Bridge, Railway truss bridge in Castleton-on-Hudson, New York
The Alfred H. Smith Memorial Bridge is a steel railroad bridge that crosses the Hudson River between Castleton-on-Hudson and Selkirk using a truss framework. The structure carries freight trains over the water and was designed to handle heavy rail traffic across this major river.
The New York Central Railroad began construction in 1924 as part of the Castleton Cut-Off project and completed the bridge in 1928. This project improved railroad connections in the region by providing a new river crossing.
The bridge received its name from Alfred Holland Smith, the New York Central Railroad president who authorized its construction but died before its completion.
The bridge serves as the main freight rail crossing over the Hudson and is accessible only to train traffic. Visitors can view the structure from nearby roads or from the water, as it is an active railroad bridge.
The bridge provides clearance of about 140 feet (43 meters) above the Hudson, allowing larger vessels to pass underneath while supporting heavy trains above. This balance between height and load capacity reflects careful engineering for the needs of both transportation types.
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