The bridge spanned the canalized mouth of the Don River where it empties into Toronto Harbour.

The City of Toronto government once operated a swing bridge over the Keating Channel at or near Cherry Street.

The original swing bridge was made of wood, and only carried a single rail line, operated by the Grand Trunk Railway.

[3] As originally constructed the bridge supported two lanes of traffic in each direction, and had a 1.8-metre (5.9 ft) sidewalk on the west side.

[8] The City of Toronto government's long-term plans are to "renaturalize" the mouth of the Don River.