The 1867 bridge was soon made obsolete by heavy traffic and dredging of the Harlem River Ship Canal.

The New York Central was opposed to the project as the increase in river traffic would interfere with its rail line, which was only 8 feet (2.4 m) above the water.

[3][4] To remedy the situation, the Central could have raised the bridge to 24 feet (7.3 m) above the water to satisfy the Department of War, allowing most vessels to cross under the bridge, for $300,000 or replaced it with a tunnel to satisfy the Harlem community for $3 million.

[3] The railroad opted to raise the bridge, which was the only four-track drawbridge in the country at the time.

[10] The bridge's design was underway in 1894, and in February of that year, the project was expected to be completed in December 1895.

[15] The four-track bridge remains in use today and consists of two parallel double-track spans, 340 feet (100 m) long.