The first crossing of the Raritan at this point was wooden bridge on masonry substructure, constructed in 1838 by the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Company. It was a 1,577 feet (481 m) long double-deck Howe truss bridge with a highway on the lower deck. The 146 feet (45 m)-foot long draw span was renewed in 1872.[1]
In 1877 work began on the replacement with the intention to build a double-track iron structure of seven iron fixed deck-spans having three trusses each with stone-arch approaches. While construction was underway this bridge was entirely destroyed by fire on March 9, 1878. Traffic was resumed over a temporary structure five days later.[1]
In 1896, the superstructure was again renewed with five deck truss-spans, each 147 feet (45 m) long, and one drawspan over the canal, all for two tracks.[1]