The first bridge (1836–1903) Original reports indicate that a ferry, which opened in approximately and was operated by a physician known as "Dr. Belvidere", ran along the alignment of the Riverton–Belvidere Bridge. The ferry crossed one of the most dangerous parts of the
Delaware River. On May 17, 1825, the Board of Chosen Freeholders for the ferry authorized raising the toll rate to cross the river via ferry. By 1832, however, the ferry crossing had become dangerously busy, and required a bridge be constructed in its place. That year, the Belvidere Delaware Bridge Company was established by the states of
New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. In constructing the bridge, however, the company was only allowed $20,000 in 1832 USD (equal to $ today) to construct it. The bridge company was provided designs for it by Solon Chapin, a contractor from
Easton, Pennsylvania. Chapin was also the construction contractor on the nearby
Riegelsville Bridge. a designation that lasted six years and was decommissioned in 1946. The structure would face its most recent strength test in 1955, after the massive flooding from
Hurricane Diane wreaked havoc in the area. The structure received minor damage in the flood, and the traffic was only halted for a day or two afterward. The design in the 1904 plan worked, as the structure was not at flood level. == See also ==