THREE-WAY BRIDGE

Inscription

THREE-WAY BRIDGE
BUILT CA. 1855 OVER MOOSE AND
BLACK RIVERS. REBUILT OF STEEL
IN 1916. REPLACED BY TWO
BRIDGES IN 1964. REMAINS OF
ABUTMENTS VISIBLE RIVERSIDE.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2024

Around 1855, a three-way bridge was constructed spanning the Moose and Black Rivers in Lyons Falls in Lewis County, New York. According to an 1854 report of the State Engineer and Surveyor on the Canals of the State of New York, work on the bridge was put under contract during that year as part of the Black River Canal, a 35-mile canal between Rome and Lyons Falls that opened in 1850. Nearly completed by the end 1854, the new three-way bridge at the terminus of the canal in Lyons Falls was projected to be completed by July 1855. Once completed, it provided a vital connection for the surrounding communities for many years.

The bridge became known locally as “White Bridge” due to its high, wooden walls, which would eventually be removed around 1906. With the advent of the automobile during the early 20th century and subsequent increased traffic, the older, wooden three-way bridge became unsafe for travel. In 1916, work began on a replacement three-way bridge made of a steel truss structure. By the end of September 1916, the abutments of the new bridge were close to completion and the steel trusses over the Moose River span were nearly erected. By mid-December 1916, the new steel bridge was open to traffic.

The three-way bridge remained a distinct feature of the landscape of Lyons Falls for many years. It was reportedly the only three-way, or y-shaped bridge, in the entire United States and it was even featured in the Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” series (Journal and Republican, November 29, 1962).

By the early 1960s, the bridge was again seen as dangerous due to its narrow approaches and the further increased traffic through the area. In 1964, the three-way bridge was replaced by two separate bridges and the old bridge was removed. As of 2023, remains of the abutments of the three-way bridge can still be seen at the riverside in Lyons Falls.