The bridge was constructed between 1906 and 1909 by the Erie Railroad as part of its Graham Line freight bypass, and was opened for service in January 1909.

The trestle spans the valley for 3,200 feet (975 m) and is 193 feet (59 m) high at its highest point, making it the second-highest and -longest railroad trestle east of the Mississippi River (after the 1889 Poughkeepsie Bridge of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which is 6,768 ft (2,063 m) long and 212 ft (65 m) high).

In summer 2007, timber replacement on the viaduct caused delays on the line due to slow orders placed on it, and required that service be halted during weekend days.

[citation needed] It is also a tourist attraction for the small town of Salisbury Mills.

The viaduct creates a spectacular landscape when viewed from the corner of Orrs Mills Road and Jackson Avenue outside of town, frequently photographed during fall foliage season.