Traffic could move in either direction between the Pennsylvania Railroad main line in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania (part of the Pittsburgh Division at that location) and the Fort Wayne Line at the north end of the Ohio Connecting Bridge.

Construction of the northern approach to the bridge required the demolition of the original Pittsburgh U.S. Marine Hospital.

The new bridge also had a siding and car elevator in the center so coal could be delivered to the coal-fired power plant on the island.

If a train is directed east it must pass next to Island Avenue Yard on the Isle Connector to get to the mainline.

NS continues to use the bridge as part of the route trains with double-stack containers use.