Formerly called the Union Bridge, the original connection between Troy and Waterford was a covered timber toll bridge built in 1804 as the first bridge crossing the Hudson River north of New York Harbor. The timber covered structure was destroyed in a fire on July 10, 1909. The original stone piers of the Union Bridge are encased in the concrete piers that support the existing Troy - Waterford Bridge. A model of the timber framing was constructed to test the load bearing capacity of the original covered bridge, and this model and the original toll house sign are on display at the Waterford Museum.
