The viaduct was designed and engineered by James Szlumper and William Szlumper, and was contracted to the Pethick Brothers to be built in the late nineteenth century in order to carry the Vale of Glamorgan Railway between Tondu via Coity Junction Bridgend and Barry Docks.
Construction started in 1894, but on 18 August 1896 it was observed that No.9 pier showed signs of settlement and on 20 August, No.10 also settled.
Over the course of three days, No.9 pier had sunk 4ft-6in and No.10, 3ft-6in into the ground, delaying construction as three arches became so distorted that they had to be taken down.
Subsequently, Nos.10 & 12 piers had to be underpinned and No.11 pier reconstructed.
The viaduct was opened on 1 December 1897, but by 16 December it was observed that the embankment at the Barry end was slipping away and had moved pier No.15 slightly and so Nos.13,14 & 15 footings were repacked with stone to stabilise the embankment.
However, on 10 January 1898, an indentation in the track above pier No.13 was observed and traffic was immediately stopped following which, the pier was gradually pushed forward by the embankment and had sunk 13 inches.
A two and a half mile loop line diversion was quickly built around the north-west of the valley, whilst repairs and underpinning were entrusted to Price and Wills, builders of the No.2 dock in Barry.
The viaduct eventually re-opened on 8 January 1900.
