The bridge was oriented at an angle to the banks of the river, on granite slab abutments that are still visible, capped in concrete.

In 1895 the line came under control of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which built this bridge as a replacement in 1901.

Heat from the burning bridge was so intense that paint blistered on the fire engines parked nearby.

At the time, the Boston & Maine Railroad was still serving two customers on the western side of the river, Kendall-Hadley Lumber and Merrimack Farmers Exchange.

Freight service still ran on the line east of the river until September 20, 1980, with total abandonment following in February 1981.