On account of concerns raised by the Provost of Eton College, the bridge had to cross the river while keeping it unobstructed in its entirety.

Construction of the railway was subsequently authorised during 1848 and proceeded at a rapid pace, the line and bridge alike being first opened to traffic on 8 October 1849.

[3] Parliamentary approval for the line was finally issued in 1848, but was accompanied by a provision for the protection of amenities pertaining to the college, which included the requirement that the River Thames be kept clear where the railway crossed it, thus necessitating advanced design and materials.

Between 1861 and 1865, the original wooden trestle viaducts forming the approaches to the Windsor Railway Bridge were replaced by arched brick equivalents.

In conjunction with this work, other refurbishments of the bridge were carried out, such as the replacement of both cross girders and rail bearers with steel counterparts.