A temporary south span and roadway opened on May 1, 1894, allowing construction of the viaduct to begin. This was closed to all but streetcar traffic on May 1, 1895. Streetcars began using the new viaduct on August 4, 1895, and it opened to general traffic on December 29. The viaduct was long and raised about above the old grade, with a -wide roadway and -wide sidewalk. Masonry piers spaced apart supported the iron viaduct, which cost $600,000 () to construct. A perpendicular ramp led from the viaduct to the rail yard below. As part of the project, the north draw span was replaced by a retractile drawbridge and widened by to just under .