The 442-yard (404 m), 23-arch bridge was built in 1839–1841 by John Miller, engineer for the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.

[1][2] The viaduct straddles the border between the West Lothian and Falkirk Council areas, so has two Historic Environment Scotland listings.

[3][4] There is another Avon Viaduct located 4 miles (6.4 km) south-west of Linlithgow; this Category B listed structure was built c. 1850 for the Monkland Railways and is now disused.

[5] These two viaducts are further not to be confused with the nearby Avonbank Viaduct located 1.2 miles (1.9 km) downstream and to the north-west.

The Avonbank Viaduct was opened by the Slamannan and Borrowstounness Railway in 1847 and now carries the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway over the river.