Broad Street Bridge

Broad Street Bridge is a stone arch bridge spanning the Genesee River in downtown Rochester with separate levels for different types of traffic. The structure carries vehicles on its upper level while the lower section was originally designed for water transport.

The bridge was built in 1842 as an aqueduct for the Erie Canal and originally served only water transport purposes. In the 1920s an upper deck was added to accommodate vehicle traffic above the water channel.

The structure represents a transition period in American engineering, when wooden bridges were replaced with stone construction methods across New York State.

The bridge is easily accessible on foot and provides separate routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Visitors can walk across at any time of day and enjoy views of the river and downtown from different levels.

The interior of the bridge contains an empty tunnel that was part of an incomplete subway system abandoned in the 1950s. This hidden chamber stands as a quiet reminder of an ambitious urban transit project that was never finished.

Location: Rochester

Inception: 1842

GPS coordinates: 43.15472,-77.60972

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30