On May 8th, 1974 a
thick cloud of black smoke appeared over the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad
bridge. The fire, supposedly started by sparks generated by a passing train,
damaged the tracks so severely that the bridge was closed after almost a
century of use.
In 1992, the nonprofit
Walkway Over the Hudson began campaigning for reconstruction of the bridge
which spans the Hudson River, connecting Highland and Poughkeepsie. As current
owners of the bridge, their goal was to create a walkway that was accessible to
the public.
Construction began in summer
2008. The bridge stands at 212 feet above the water and is comprised of 973
concrete panels, each weighing 15 tons. During initial construction in 1886 regulations
required it be tall enough to accommodate the mast of sailing ships. Today the
clearance requirement is a mere 135 feet. The final panel was laid in September
2009 and the bridge opened shorty after. New York State Parks oversees the
public use of the facility and the New York State Bridge Authority maintains
the structure itself. Reconstruction was
funded with $38.8 million in public and private funds. Construction of the
structure in 1886 cost $3.3 million, and estimates to demolish the structure
were over $50 million.
Besides spectacular views of
the Hudson River, the park offers lecture series on local bridges, Fourth of
July fireworks, and movie night under the walkway.
Walkway Over the Hudson:
www.walkway.org
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