Preceded by a wooden version, it was rebuilt in stone in the 2nd century BC. It once spanned the Tiber, but a single arch in mid-river is all that remains today, lending the bridge its name Ponte Rotto ("Broken bridge"). The oldest piers of the bridge were likely laid when the Via Aurelia was constructed in the mid-3rd century BC. Initially constructed in 179 BC with stone piers and a wooden superstructure, the bridge was fitted in 142 BC with six wholly stone arches. In 12 BC, Augustus completely restored the bridge with a tuff and concrete core.