1924 Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Bridge over Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, PA

(Bridge Hunter broke Mar 22, 2023; Historic Bridges; HAER; Satellite)

"This bridge features a staggering 51 semicircle concrete deck arch spans, three more than the famous Rockville Bridge north of Harrisburg, a stone arch bridge that was the longest stone bridge in the world when completed." [HistoricBridges]

Street View, Sep 2023

"Significance: This structure is significant as a late example of a reinforced concrete arch designed by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, and perhaps the longest such structure on the former P&R system. Its design, falsework, and construction embody refinements developed during nearly two decades of experience with the material. The P&R's bridge also provides an important contrast to a nearby Pennsylvania Railroad bridge, reflecting the differing design philosophies of competing lines." [HAER_data]

I presume the "nearby Pennsylvania Railroad bridge" is the Rockville Bridge.

HAER PA,22-HARBU,30--2
2. OBLIQUE VIEW, LOOKING SOUTH FROM EAST BANK OF SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. NOTE INSCRIPTIONS ON PIER AT TOP LEFT. - Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, Susquehanna River Bridge, Spanning Susquehanna River, North of I-83 Bridge, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, PA

The bridge is now owned by Norfolk Southern.

BrianSolomon, this webpage has more photos

MP Rail Photography posted

NS 275 crosses the former Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Bridge which sits on the Susquehanna River on the NS Lurgan Branch.  The bridge was completed in 1924 by the James McGraw Company of Philadelphia and has three more arch semi-circle spans than the Rockville Bridge to the north.  In the background of this photo the now abandoned Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge can be seen along with the Market Street Bridge.

October 5, 2023

Harrisburg, PA

Power:

NS 4457 - AC44C6M

NS 9959 - C44-9W

MP Rail Photography shared

Dennis DeBruler commented on the above share
 https://maps.app.goo.gl/LMGmVR3CJ8CD8CFY7

This 1943 topo map implies that the Philadelphia & Reading became part of the Reading Railroad. Thus I use the label "rrAlphaEast."

1943 Harrisburg Quad @ 62,500

Metrotrails added

A train on the former Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Bridge over the Susquehanna in Harrisburg PA. The earlier bridge here was constructed in 1891, and the current structure encases some of the old masonry piers from the former truss bridge. The current bridge was constructed bit by bit from 1920-24 one track at a time by replacing trusses with concrete arches. There are a total of fifty one arches.

Seen from the Capital Area Greenbelt.

Mark Podvia: The old Cumberland Valley Railroad bridge can be seen in the background.