News
May 28 2008
Walkway work takes first step
HIGHLAND - With the ceremonial removal of some rusted railroad spikes Tuesday, the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge entered the next phase of its 120-year existence.
Walkway Over the Hudson, the group behind the push to turn the defunct bridge into the world's longest elevated pedestrian and bicycle path, allowed invited guests onto the bridge for what is said to be the last time before August 2009, when construction is scheduled to be completed.
Removal of existing rails and wooden planks is set to begin today. When the project is complete, a 35-foot-wide deck will connect rail trails on both sides of the river.
Wearing a tie that depicted some famous bridges from around the world, Walkway Over the Hudson Chairman Fred Schaeffer welcomed about 200 guests, including State Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie; U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, and representatives of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Gov. David Paterson, and various government agencies and business and tourism groups.
"We can't wait to make this a world-famous park," he said. "Everybody's getting behind this."
Impact discussed
The talk Tuesday was not only about the bridge, but about what it could mean for the region.
Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, said he envisioned the railroad bridge as the central link in a chain of cultural, historic and scenic tourist attractions around the Hudson Valley. Those sites include the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Culinary Institute of America, both in Hyde Park; the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum in Poughkeepsie; the region's various rail trails and the waterfront park being constructed in the Town of Lloyd.
"The transformation of the railroad bridge can be the catalyst for the sustainable future of the Hudson Valley," Sullivan said.
Sullivan announced Tuesday that Scenic Hudson would pledge $1 million toward the project, and he hopes this will inspire other organizations to help Walkway meet its $30 million goal.
$2 million sought for project
Hinchey said he hopes an appropriations bill next year will add another $2 million to the project, with the possibility of more federal money from a transportation bill. The public support behind the project bodes well for the prospect of more federal aid, he said.
"It has more momentum, more energy, than any of those trains had going over the bridge," Hinchey said.
When it opened in 1888, the bridge was the longest in the world and the only bridge across the Hudson River south of Albany. It carried freight trains between New England and the western United States until a fire ended its use in 1974.
Mike Morey, representing Schumer's office, said the bridge will now connect a past of thriving industry to a future of thriving tourism.
"We need to take that industrial history of ours and turn it into ... the next phase of what will keep the region flourishing," he said.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Walkway Over the Hudson has set a fund-raising goal of $30 million for completion of the project. Below are some of the most significant funding sources for the $14 million raised so far:
$8 million: New York State Parks capital budget.
$2 million: The Dyson Foundation.
$1.25 million: Additional state funding, credited to state Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie.
$1 million: Pledged by Scenic Hudson on Tuesday.
$874,000: Federal DOT funding, credited to U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey.
$500,000: Grant from Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency.
$700,000: Grants and donations from other government and private sources.
Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge
Built: 1888.
Type: Cantilever-truss.
Length: 6,767 feet.
Height: 212 feet above the river.
Proposed deck walkway width: 35 feet.
On the Web
For more information, visit www.walkway.org
Reach Greg Marano at gmarano@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4809.
Walkway Over the Hudson, the group behind the push to turn the defunct bridge into the world's longest elevated pedestrian and bicycle path, allowed invited guests onto the bridge for what is said to be the last time before August 2009, when construction is scheduled to be completed.
Removal of existing rails and wooden planks is set to begin today. When the project is complete, a 35-foot-wide deck will connect rail trails on both sides of the river.
Wearing a tie that depicted some famous bridges from around the world, Walkway Over the Hudson Chairman Fred Schaeffer welcomed about 200 guests, including State Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie; U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, and representatives of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, Gov. David Paterson, and various government agencies and business and tourism groups.
"We can't wait to make this a world-famous park," he said. "Everybody's getting behind this."
Impact discussed
The talk Tuesday was not only about the bridge, but about what it could mean for the region.
Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, said he envisioned the railroad bridge as the central link in a chain of cultural, historic and scenic tourist attractions around the Hudson Valley. Those sites include the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and the Culinary Institute of America, both in Hyde Park; the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum in Poughkeepsie; the region's various rail trails and the waterfront park being constructed in the Town of Lloyd.
"The transformation of the railroad bridge can be the catalyst for the sustainable future of the Hudson Valley," Sullivan said.
Sullivan announced Tuesday that Scenic Hudson would pledge $1 million toward the project, and he hopes this will inspire other organizations to help Walkway meet its $30 million goal.
$2 million sought for project
Hinchey said he hopes an appropriations bill next year will add another $2 million to the project, with the possibility of more federal money from a transportation bill. The public support behind the project bodes well for the prospect of more federal aid, he said.
"It has more momentum, more energy, than any of those trains had going over the bridge," Hinchey said.
When it opened in 1888, the bridge was the longest in the world and the only bridge across the Hudson River south of Albany. It carried freight trains between New England and the western United States until a fire ended its use in 1974.
Mike Morey, representing Schumer's office, said the bridge will now connect a past of thriving industry to a future of thriving tourism.
"We need to take that industrial history of ours and turn it into ... the next phase of what will keep the region flourishing," he said.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Walkway Over the Hudson has set a fund-raising goal of $30 million for completion of the project. Below are some of the most significant funding sources for the $14 million raised so far:
$8 million: New York State Parks capital budget.
$2 million: The Dyson Foundation.
$1.25 million: Additional state funding, credited to state Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie.
$1 million: Pledged by Scenic Hudson on Tuesday.
$874,000: Federal DOT funding, credited to U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey.
$500,000: Grant from Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency.
$700,000: Grants and donations from other government and private sources.
Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge
Built: 1888.
Type: Cantilever-truss.
Length: 6,767 feet.
Height: 212 feet above the river.
Proposed deck walkway width: 35 feet.
On the Web
For more information, visit www.walkway.org
Reach Greg Marano at gmarano@poughkeepsiejournal.com or 845-437-4809.
