Exploring The Paulinskill Viaduct (a.k.a. Hainesburg Trestle)

Columbia, New Jersey

Standing on top of the Paulinskill Viaduct, you can't help but feel awestruck 😮

Built by the Delaware, Lackawanna, & Western Railroad, this massive 1.3-mile-long railroad bridge sits 115 feet above the Paulinskill River. It has 7 arches that span 1,100 feet.

Paulinskill was part of the Lackawanna Cut-Off, a project that replaced an older route with a straighter, flatter route through the mountains of northwestern New Jersey. When the viaduct was completed in 1910, it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world!

The most interesting feature of the viaduct is that there is a series of step ladders on top of the arches, which allows you to travel through the inside of the structure. Each of the towers between the arches is hollow, with spacious rooms inside that are covered in graffiti. There are also manholes located along the rail bed that provide access to the top of the bridge from within.

Trains traveled on the railway until the late 20th century, then traffic gradually diminished over the years. The train line eventually went out of service in 1979, and the railroad tracks were torn up in 1985. Consequently, the Viaduct was abandoned.

The bridge is now owned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, but that hasn't stopped people from exploring it (even though it's technically off-limits to the public). Urban explorers, graffiti artists, and even bungee-jumpers have all been spotted on the viaduct over the years.

While it's certainly an impressive sight, it's also dangerous. The structure is in disrepair, and there have been several accidents involving people who have tried to access it. So if you're thinking about visiting, please be aware of the risks!

The future of the Paulinskill Viaduct is uncertain. While the bridge may eventually be restored, it’s also possible it will be left to deteriorate further. Only time will tell what will happen to this unique and historic structure 🤔

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