The original structure was a covered bridge built in 1835 by Thomas Hassard for the Boston and Providence Railroad.

[3]: 10–12  This bridge used a Howe truss and was built by Daniel Harris and Richard Hawkins, who held the patent rights for this design in Southern New England.

Though the deadline passed, the Coast Guard delayed imposing any fines until at least 1993, when Federal money was to be made available for the bridge's removal.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers then advertised to give the bridge to any organization that could demonstrate a suitable disposition for it.

The final step was to remove the concrete platform measuring 34 feet (10 m) in diameter that supported the swing section.

However, in the summer of 2019, the East Providence City Council had passed a resolution asking for federal help in removing these remaining sections.

The Army Corps of Engineers responded by saying there is money in the fiscal year 2020 budget for an environmental review and design to remove it but not for the actual demolition costs.