Originally built in 1905 as a moveable bridge, it has been in a fixed closed position since 1985.

[3] Once one of the most heavily used waterways in the Port of New York and New Jersey, it remains partially navigable for commercial marine traffic.

[15] The company which built the Paterson and New York Plank Road, as it was called, received its charter on March 14, 1851.

[16] Over time it was upgraded and at one point had streetcar lines on its entire length operated by the Public Service Railway as the 15 Passaic, 17 Hudson, and 35 Secaucus.

Most of the bridge is riveted together, but the center tower uses eyebars in its construction.