The open viaduct dates back to 1900, carrying the current double track Airedale line railway, whereas the redundant adjacent viaduct (to the immediate west) dates back to 1867, and was built to replace the original bridge at this point which collapsed in November 1866 due to severe flooding.

The first bridge over the Aire at this point was opened with the railway in May 1846,[1] when the inaugural train stopped at the viaduct to inspect the earthworks.

[12] The girders were rolled from steel plates at an ironworks in Stanningley, and weighed over 500 tonnes (550 tons).

[16][10] At the northern end of the eastern viaduct (the one still in use) was a small siding that led down to Esholt Sewage Farm.

[19][20][21] The viaduct is one of eight crossings over the River Aire by the railway line between Leeds and Shipley, and is 7 chains (460 ft; 140 m) long.