The first wooden drawbridge over the Moika River on Nevsky Prospect was built in 1716-1717 and served as the boundary of the new capital until 1726. In 1735, the bridge was repaired, painted green, and officially named "Green." In 1768, it was renamed "Police" due to its proximity to the Main Police Headquarters and the residence of General Police Chief Chicherin. In October 1918, the Bolsheviks gave the bridge a new name, "People's," but on January 13, 1998, it was returned to its historical name "Green."

In 1752, the wooden bridge was repaired, and in 1777, it was rebuilt into a three-span structure with wooden spans on stone supports. In 1808, a cast iron single-span bridge was built in place of the wooden one. It featured a gentle arch made of cast iron sections connected by bolts. Wedge-shaped caissons were manufactured at the Sestroretsk Arms Factory under the guidance of engineer Karl Shpekle and at the Ural factories of N.N. Demidov. The dimensions of the caissons were standard: 2.8 x 1.53 x 0.38 m, with a thickness of 2.5 cm. The joints between them were filled with a mixture of sulfur, ammonia, and cast iron shavings. The sidewalks were paved with granite slabs, and the roadway was separated by metal rods on granite pedestals. Granite obelisks with gilded spheres were installed at the bridge entrances.

The bridge project was developed by V.I. Geste, a Russian engineer and architect of Scottish descent, who used the idea of British engineer Robert Fulton. The project was deemed successful, and it was decided to construct a series of similar bridges over the Moika. In the first quarter of the 19th century, other cast iron bridges, such as the Red and Kiss bridges, were built based on this standard project, but the Police Bridge was the first.

In 1842, due to increased traffic on Nevsky Prospect, the bridge was widened by extending the sidewalks on metal cantilevers, and the granite obelisks were replaced with cast iron lamp posts. The project was developed by engineer A.D. Gottan. In 1904 and 1907, due to the laying of tram tracks, the bridge was reconstructed and widened according to the project of engineers V.A. Bers, A.L. Stanovoy, and A.P. Pshenitsky, as well as architect L.A. Ilyin. The supports were expanded, box arches were added, the facades were decorated with ornaments, and gilded iron candelabras with hexagonal lanterns replaced the cast iron posts.

In 1938, the arch of the bridge under the tram tracks was insulated with roofing felt to protect against corrosion. In 1951, architect A.L. Rotach restored the torches with lanterns, and in 1967, the gilding of the architectural details of the bridge was restored.