The predecessor of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge was the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, which carried foot and rail traffic, opened in 1855, and was most notable for being the world's first working railway suspension bridge and for being the bridge that was used by abolitionists running the Underground Railroad to get slaves to freedom in Canada. By the late 1800s, the suspension bridge was becoming outdated for railroad needs. The weight of trains in North America had greatly increased by the mid-1890s. Larger and more powerful locomotives were required to pull cars that handled an increasing number of passengers and goods; compared to the 23-short-ton (21 t) locomotives crossing the bridge in the 1850s, 170-short-ton (150 t) locomotives were the common engines 40 years later.[2] The weight of these trains exceeded the specifications of the Suspension Bridge and the bridge companies decided to request the replacement of the bridge.[3]
Civil engineer Leffert L. Buck, who had been hired to maintain the Suspension Bridge, was selected to design the replacement bridge. He settled for a bridge of the arch design. Buck built the new bridge around and below the Suspension Bridge and started building the foundation in April 1896.[3]
His plan allowed bridge traffic—train and pedestrian—to continue without disruption.[4] By August 27, 1897, the last pieces of the Suspension Bridge were dismantled, leaving the Lower Steel Arch Bridge—later renamed the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge—in its stead.[5] Steel towers and framework supporting the project were removed once it was completed.[6] At the time of completion, it was the longest arch bridge ever built (168 meters across).[7] Bridge materials for the former suspension bridge were then recycled by the Pennsylvania Steel Company.[8]
In 1967, the wood used for the lower deck was replaced with asphalt.[10] This track now only serves passenger vehicles—commercial vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited. Additionally, it may only be used by members of the NEXUS program, jointly operated by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).[11] Vehicles entering Canada must pay a $5.00 USD toll electronically using an account linked to their E-ZPass transponder or NEXUS card.[1] There is one lane of traffic to the United States and one lane to Canada, with two inspection lanes at each end for traffic entering the respective countries. The American side connects to New York State Route 104 and New York State Route 182, while the Canadian side connects to the historic terminus of Highway 3A, Highway 8 and Highway 20, now known as River Road and Bridge Street.[citation needed]
Griggs, Francis (November 2006b). "Great Achievements—John A. Roebling". Structure. Illinois, United States: National Council of Structural Engineers Associations. ISSN0969-2126. Archived from the original(PDF) on April 25, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2008.
