The bridge was constructed between 1939-44 as part of the extension of the railway from Diyarbakır to Kurtalan. When first completed, it was the second longest railway bridge in the country after the Karkamış Bridge. The bridge has been replaced by a new 1,430 m (4,690 ft) long viaduct that was completed by the end of 2017. The old Zilek bridge has been flooded by the Ilısu Reservoir.[2]