May - June 2008

New Vision For Old Poughkeepsie Bridge

According to a Feb. 17th Times Union article by Julie Varughese, in 1993 amateur photographer and Poughkeepsie-area lawyer Fred Schaeffer heard about an idea to turn an abandoned railroad bridge over the Hudson River into a recreational path. So one day he climbed its stairs to see what all the fuss was about. What he saw inspired him and others to bring that vision to life. 'The view is just breathtaking,' Schaeffer said. 'I realized this is not a rickety old bridge.' For years, a volunteer, grassroots effort has tried to transform the unused 6,767-foot Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, connecting the city and the hamlet of Highland, into a trail that could also spur economic development. Facing huge costs and limited manpower, the effort stalled.

Now, the bridge -- the highest span above the Hudson River -- will also become the longest walkway and bikeway over water in the world with help from the state, said Judith Enck, Gov.'s deputy secretary for the environment. NY's proposed $124.3 billion 2008-09 budget includes $8 million toward the $25 million project. Enck said a second helping of $8 million will come next year. Railroad ties and railings will be removed, prefabricated concrete slabs will be added to the deck and rails, and existing steel and concrete will be repaired to transform the bridge into a walkable surface.

The rehabilitated bridge is expected to open in the Fall of 2009, in time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson sailing up his namesake river. When completed, the bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, will tie rail trails on both sides of the river, creating a 35-mile trail. It is projected to spur $21 million in new economic activity in Dutchess and Ulster counties because of an expected 300,000 visits annually, Schaeffer said. Art shows and concerts would be a great draw. The work would also create 258 new construction-related jobs, according to Walkway Over the Hudson's Web site, www.walkway.org.

From NY Bicycle Coalition E-News, March 2008.