Bridges
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North Tonawanda at the right is connected to Tonawanda by a series of bridges, four of which are visible here: Seymour Street bridge connecting to River Road at top; Renaissance Bridge connecting Tonawanda's Main Street to Webster Street; Delaware Bridge connecting Tonawanda's Delaware Street with Main Street in North Tonawanda; and the cantilever railroad bridge between Marion and Oliver Streets. |
Renaissance Bridge - Long Bridge
The first bridge over Tonawanda Creek was erected by the U.S. government in 1800 or 1801 for military purposes. It was temporary. When it fell, a rope ferry was used until 1824. A toll bridge was then built in pursuance of a charter and was in place for 21 years. Before the Charter expired, the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Company bought the interest in the bridge and rebuilt it with a roadway and sidetracks for their rails. When the charter expired, it became a Town and County toll charge. A third bridge was built by Erie and Niagara County in 1845 and remained until it was superseded in 1875 by a wrought iron structure weighing 50 tons and erected by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company of Canton, Ohio. In February 1886, the New York Central and Hudson Railroad was granted a permit for a bridge over the Tonawanda River mouth.
The Long Bridge was hit by canal barges during a March 1916 flood and rebuilt. The new bridge was named the
Cantilever railroad bridge – designed to lift with counter balance
Constructed in 1919 with a cement counter weight to allow larger tug boats and barges to pass underneath. It was lifted only once. The New York Central Railroad tracks were relocated to this bridge from their original location down the middle of Main Street.
For a gallery of North Tonawanda Bridges, please click HERE.