Shinnecock Canal Railroad Bridge

Shinnecock Canal Railroad Bridge
The Shinnecock Canal Railroad Bridge, seen in the distance, behind the canal's locks
Coordinates40°53′15″N 72°30′05″W / 40.887436°N 72.501302°W / 40.887436; -72.501302
CarriesLIRR Montauk Branch
CrossesShinnecock Canal
LocaleSmithtown, Suffolk County, New York
Other name(s)K4 Bridge
OwnerMetropolitan Transportation Authority
Maintained byLong Island Rail Road
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
MaterialSteel
Total length316 feet (96 meters)
Height22 feet (6.7 meters)
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks1
Track gauge4 feet, 8+1⁄2 inches (220 millimeters) (Standard gauge)
History
Opened1931 (current bridge)
1870 (original bridge)
1891 (second bridge)
Rebuilt1891, 1931
Location
Map

The Shinnecock Canal Railroad Bridge (also known as the K4 Bridge) is a railroad bridge carrying the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road over the Shinnecock Canal in Hampton Bays and Shinnecock Hills, Suffolk County, New York, United States.

Overview

The Shinnecock Canal Railroad Bridge stands at a height of approximately 22 feet (6.7 meters) above the water and measures 316 feet (96 meters) in length.[1][2][3][4] The bridge is constructed of steel and uses a truss design.[3][4]

As Pennsylvania Railroad K4 class steam locomotives regularly crossed the bridge following the replacement of the second span, the bridge became commonly known as "K4 Bridge."[4] Prior to the current span's construction, these locomotives were unable to cross the bridge due to their weight.[4]

The bridge's NYSDOT bridge identification number is 7710170.[3]

History

The original bridge was constructed in 1870.[1][2][4][5] This girder bridge was replaced by the second bridge – an iron truss bridge – in 1892, as part of the widening of the Shinnecock Canal.[1][2][4][5] Its construction would enable trains using the Montauk Branch – which predates the canal – to travel over the new waterway.[1][3] It was replaced by a new, near-identical span adjacent to it in 1931; this third bridge, which remains in use today, was placed into service on June 21 of that year.[1][4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Keller, David; Lynch, Steven (2005). Revisiting the Long Island Rail Road: 1925-1975. Images of Rail. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738538297.
  2. ^ a b c Seyfried, Vincent F. (1975). "Part Six The Golden Age 1881-1900". The Long Island Rail Road: A Comprehensive History. Long Island: Vincent F. Seyfried. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d "NYSDOT Bridges". data.gis.ny.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "LIRR - Shinnecock Canal". www.trainsarefun.com. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  5. ^ a b Longi, Mohammad S. (1988). "Long Island Rail Road Bridge Infrastructure" (PDF). Transportation Research Record. 1177: 113–123. Retrieved 2025-01-05.