The construction project was overseen by Sir Arthur Rendel, engineer for the Burma Railway Company.

That is supposedly a measurement to the river level as it flows underground through a tunnel at the point where it passes underneath the trestle.

The true height of the bridge, as measured from the rail deck to the ground on the downstream side of the tallest tower, is 102 metres (335 ft).

[citation needed] Because the line from Mandalay to Lashio is considered to be of strategic value, a diversionary route to the valley floor, featuring spectacular horseshoe curves, was built in 1976–1978, to keep trains running even if the Goteik viaduct was sabotaged.

He described the viaduct as "a monster of silver geometry in all the ragged rock and jungle, its presence was bizarre".