News
HIGHLAND - Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., saw the breathtaking view from the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge Friday and announced he's pushing for $1.5 million in federal money to help transform the bridge into Walkway Over the Hudson and pay for Quadricentennial activities.
Walkway Over the Hudson will be 1.25 miles long, becoming the longest walkway bridge in the world. It is scheduled to open in time for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river in 2009.
Mentioning "Field of Dreams" as one of his favorite movies, Schumer referred to the film's famous line, "If you build it, they will come.
"The slogan here for people like myself and (Rep.) Maurice (Hinchey) is 'If we see it, we will fund,' " Schumer said. "The bottom line is you do have to come up here to see the magnificence of this project."
Joined by local officials, Schumer said about $1 million would go toward the construction of the walkway - an earmark he said he's proud to make.
He said he received authorization to allocate $500,000 for Quadricentennial activities, but it does not mean the designated agency will use the money for the celebration. Schumer ex-plained he would still have to push for the money to be spent on the event.
Schumer helped get the flag that flies over the bridge. The flag once flew over the Capitol. He said he is also working to get a Navy ship to be at the Quadricentennial celebration.
Walkway Over the Hudson Board of Directors Chairman Fred Schaeffer was grateful for the senator's efforts.
"We've had tremendous support from the community," Schaeffer said. "It's icing on the cake."
The construction of the bridge would cost about $25 million, plus an additional $5 million to pay for an elevator from the waterfront and an endowment for the maintenance of the bridge, Schaeffer said.
Hinchey, who was at the bridge Friday, said he hopes to get about $2 million for the project in the transportation funding bill. When the project first began, he secured about $875,000.
Schumer also talked about how to help people affected by the subprime mortgage crisis with the Journal's Editorial Board. He said the federal government should regulate mortgage brokers and offer financial help and counseling to people.
Walkway Over the Hudson will be 1.25 miles long, becoming the longest walkway bridge in the world. It is scheduled to open in time for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river in 2009.
Mentioning "Field of Dreams" as one of his favorite movies, Schumer referred to the film's famous line, "If you build it, they will come.
"The slogan here for people like myself and (Rep.) Maurice (Hinchey) is 'If we see it, we will fund,' " Schumer said. "The bottom line is you do have to come up here to see the magnificence of this project."
Joined by local officials, Schumer said about $1 million would go toward the construction of the walkway - an earmark he said he's proud to make.
He said he received authorization to allocate $500,000 for Quadricentennial activities, but it does not mean the designated agency will use the money for the celebration. Schumer ex-plained he would still have to push for the money to be spent on the event.
Schumer helped get the flag that flies over the bridge. The flag once flew over the Capitol. He said he is also working to get a Navy ship to be at the Quadricentennial celebration.
Walkway Over the Hudson Board of Directors Chairman Fred Schaeffer was grateful for the senator's efforts.
"We've had tremendous support from the community," Schaeffer said. "It's icing on the cake."
The construction of the bridge would cost about $25 million, plus an additional $5 million to pay for an elevator from the waterfront and an endowment for the maintenance of the bridge, Schaeffer said.
Hinchey, who was at the bridge Friday, said he hopes to get about $2 million for the project in the transportation funding bill. When the project first began, he secured about $875,000.
Schumer also talked about how to help people affected by the subprime mortgage crisis with the Journal's Editorial Board. He said the federal government should regulate mortgage brokers and offer financial help and counseling to people.
