The second span from the south rotated about its midpoint in the manner of a swing bridge to leave two 60 ft (18 m) passages for river traffic.

This section sat on a cast iron pivot which used 2 in (51 mm) ball bearings which made the bridge so free running that it could be manually opened by just one person.

The bridge was successfully weight tested on 8 July 1903 with a train of heavy engines and it was opened shortly after.

[5] At the time of its closure it was anticipated that major repairs would be required to keep it in service, although it was found to be in good condition when it was demolished.

[1] After its demolition the pilings remained in the river until the construction of Breydon Road Bridge in the late 1980s when they were removed.