Prior to the dedication of the bridge in 1987, hikers had to use the rather unpleasant Rt. 340 highway bridge about a half a mile downstream from Harpers Ferry, though I imagine some chose to risk injury by using the trestle itself.

While looking at fellow recumbent rider Clay Gump's home page, I saw that he had a photo of the bridge which is attached to the railroad trestle that crosses the Potomac River and links the states of Maryland and West Viriginia.