“17 Arches of Grace” Built in 1847-48 by Erie predecessor New York and Erie Rail Road, the Starrucca Viaduct spans the wide valley of Starrucca Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, in Lanesboro, Pennsylvania.
While its design invites comparison to the aqueducts and bridges of the Roman Empire, its visual lightness and 17 graceful arches defy its inherent strength. The bridge today–despite remaining virtually unchanged since its construction–is able to accommodate rail tonnages far greater than any known or envisioned in 1847.
