Cairo Rail Bridge

Cairo Rail Bridge is a railway bridge that carries freight trains across the Ohio River between Illinois and Kentucky. It features steel truss construction designed to span the wide river while maintaining clearance for river traffic below.

The original bridge was built in 1889, establishing the first railway connection between Chicago and New Orleans. This crossing opened new freight routes and changed how goods moved north and south along the river system.

The bridge construction reflected industrial progress in American railway development during the 1880s through advanced engineering techniques and materials.

The bridge carries active freight train traffic daily, so viewing it is best done from the riverbanks rather than attempting to cross it. Both the Illinois and Kentucky shores offer good vantage points for photos and observation of the structure and passing boats.

An earthquake measuring around 6.6 magnitude struck in 1895 and damaged one of the bridge piers, representing the strongest seismic event in the region in decades. The structure survived this major shock and continued to serve.

Location: Illinois

Location: Kentucky

Official opening: October 29, 1889

GPS coordinates: 37.02310,-89.17560

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02