 The bridge, known as the Tamsui Wooden Bridge (淡水木橋; "Dànshuǐ Mùqiáo;" "Tām-súi-bo̍k-kiô"), was a (1498 "chi") wooden structure designed to carry only rail traffic.Foot and horse traffic could also cross on paths on either side of the rail.However, the bridge's wood pilings required frequent repair due to periodic flooding, and an August 1897 typhoon seriously damaged the bridge.