Sakonnet River rail bridge

Sakonnet River rail bridge

Former Sakonnet Rail Bridge alongside the Sakonnet River Road Bridge
Coordinates 41°38′20″N 71°12′48″W / 41.638926°N 71.2132°WCoordinates: 41°38′20″N 71°12′48″W / 41.638926°N 71.2132°W
Carries Old Colony and Newport Railway
Crosses Sakonnet River
Locale between Portsmouth and Tiverton
Characteristics
Design swing bridge
History
Opened 1899
Closed 1980

The Sakonnet River rail bridge was a swing bridge built in 1899 by the Pennsylvania Steel Co. It was closed in 1980 after it was damaged by an overweight train loaded with military equipment. The swing bridge was left in the open position to allow boat traffic to pass but a barge ran into it in 1988. The bridge swing structure was removed in late 2006 and the supporting piers were demolished by explosion on February 9, 2007.

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