The Brighton main line was opened in two sections because completion was delayed by the need to construct some major earthworks.
The viaduct was officially opened when the section between Norwood Junction and Haywards Heath was opened on 12 July 1841.
Initially, there was only one track across the structure in operation; the second line, along with the viaduct's ornate stone parapets and pavilions, was not completed until the following year.

By 1846, the viaduct had become part of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.
In 1923, as a result of the Railways Act 1921, it became part of the Southern Railway network.
It remained under Southern's ownership until January 1948, when the nationalisation of the Big Four railway companies formed the publicly owned railway operator British Railways.
The Brighton main line was opened in two sections because completion was delayed by the need to construct some major earthworks. The viaduct was officially opened when the section between Norwood Junction and Haywards Heath was opened on 12 July 1841. Initially, there was only one track across the structure in operation; the second line, along with the viaduct's ornate stone parapets and pavilions, was not completed until the following year.
By 1846, the viaduct had become part of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. In 1923, as a result of the Railways Act 1921, it became part of the Southern Railway network. It remained under Southern's ownership until January 1948, when the nationalisation of the Big Four railway companies formed the publicly owned railway operator British Railways.
Ouse Valley Viaduct