Complex sentence: At the time of its completion in January 1872, it was the highest span bridge in the United States, and could "scarcely be crossed for the first time without something like a feeling of terror".
Split into simpler sentences: At the time of its completion in January 1872, it was the highest span bridge in the United States. Due to its height could "scarcely be crossed for the first time without something like a feeling of terror".