Walkway Over the Hudson: a place to enjoy the river and a place to appreciate the wonder of an engineering feat unprecedented in its time with a beauty unsurpassed in our generation.

What is the present status of the project?

The project remains on schedule for completion in September 2009 in time for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage up the river. For current construction infomation, please visit our construction page.

Will the bridge be safe?

Yes.The bridge was designed to carry heavy freight trains -loads significantly heavier than the proposed Walkway. Bergmann Associates and their sub-consultants have completed detailed engineering inspections of the bridge, including its underwater piers.The inspections have confirmed that the bridge is structurally sound and can easily accommodate the proposed Walkway uses.

What are the length, height and width of the bridge?

The bridge is 6,767 feet long (approximately 1.25 miles).The top of the bridge deck is 212 feet above the water and the width expands from 24 feet over land, to 35 feet over the Hudson River. When completed in Fall of 2009 it will be the longest pedestrian bridge in the world.

What are the roles of the key organizations and agencies?

The bridge currently is owned by the not-for-profit organization Walkway Over the Hudson. The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NewYork State Parks) is "Lead Agency" under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.The Dyson Foundation funded a significant portion of the design and inspection. Consulting services are being provided by the Bergmann Associates team.

Have the projected costs increased?

The prices of steel, concrete and fuel have had substantial increases since we first estimated the cost of the project last summer. Steel bar stock, used to reinforce the concrete panels, has increased 50%. Steel stock used for the new railings is also up over 50%. Not surprisingly, the project cost is up. We have elevated our fundraising goal to $35.5 million to contain the cost increases. Some features, such as a visitor center/maintenance building, which we hoped to include in the base project, may be delayed until a future time. We have had to decrease the width of the pedestrian deck to 25 feet, but this will still leave plenty of room for walking, biking and events. In addition, there will be 3 locations over the river where there will be viewing platforms that will be the full 35 foot width of the bridge.

How much will the project cost, and who will own and maintain it?

The estimate for constructing the Walkway project is $35 million. The project will be funded through a mix of private and public funds. Upon completion of the project, New York State Parks will assume responsibility for administering public use of the Walkway, including staffing, operating costs, and maintaining trail features and associated public facilities. Ownership of the bridge structure will be transferred to an appropriate State entity which will be responsible for maintaining the bridge deck, steel superstructure, piers and substructure.

When completed, what will the Walkway look like?

When the Walkway is built it will feature a deck and safety railings that run the full length of the bridge. Lanes will seprate walkers from bicyclists and rollerbladers. The park will be accessible to individuals with disabilities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What is the timeline?

The design phase was completed in the spring of 2008, and construction began in the summer of 2008. The goal is to complete the Walkway and open it to the public in the fall of 2009 as part of the 2009 Henry Hudson Quadricentennial (400th year) Celebration.

Will the bridge connect to trails on both sides of the river?

The bridge will connect to 27 miles of rail trails and riverfront parks already built or planned in Ulster and Dutchess Counties.

What are the economic benefits of the project?

An independent economic impact study has concluded that the Walkway will generate an estimated $14.6 million in new direct spending by visitors to Dutchess and Ulster Counties. These expenditures will result in a total of $21 million dollars of new economic activity regionally and statewide. Construction activity on the bridge will result in the creation of 258 new jobs. In addition, it is expected the bridge will generate $1.3 million annually in new overall tax revenue to local, county and state governments.

Where is the bridge located?

The bridge spans the Hudson River and connects the City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County with the Town of Lloyd in Ulster County, New York.

Who will be responsible for liability issues arising from the Walkway?

Liability issues will be managed through the same state government processes that apply to all other State Parks.

Where will access to the bridge be provided?

Access will be provided on the west end of the bridge from Haviland Road and the adjoining rail trail. On the east of the bridge, access will be provided at Washington Street. In addition, work is being done to secure funds for an elevator to be located on the Poughkeepsie waterfront and near to the Poughkeepsie railroad station.

Will the park be ADA compliant and accessible by elevator?

Yes. Both ends of the bridge will be handicapped accessible pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will have designated handicapped parking.

Will there be emergency access?

Yes. Provisions will be made in the design process to allow emergency vehicles to gain access and cross the bridge.

Where are people going to park?

Parking locations will be developed in more detail as the design progresses in the months ahead. Currently, we hope to provide small parking areas (including handicapped accessible parking places) and drop off locations at each end of the bridge. In addition, a parking area(s) will be provided near Haviland Road on the west approach. In Poughkeepsie, on-street parking will be utilized in addition to City parking lots and garages.

Will the park be available by public transit?

Yes. The east end of the park is in downtown Poughkeepsie, which is currently served by City transit busses, shuttle busses from nearby colleges, and the Poughkeepsie Amtrak/Metro-North station.

Are bikes allowed on public transit?

Bicyclists currently using Metro-North are allowed to bring their bicycles.

Will there be any security on the Walkway?

Yes. Security cameras will be on the bridge, as well as emergency phones (similar to those used on college campuses).

Will the Walkway be open at night? Will there be any lighting? If yes, how bright will it be?

Operational issues are yet to be finalized. Lighting will be designed to provide the minimum light needed to provide safe passage as well as shields placed on the backside of luminaires to minimize excess light, and to focus it on the walking surface. In addition, aesthetic lighting similar to lighting on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, may be added in the future.

Will it have seasonal or year-round use?

The Walkway is being designed to allow year-round use; however the Walkway likely will be closed during periods of inclement weather (snow and ice in the winter, etc).Whether or not the bridge will be plowed during the winter months has not yet been decided.

Will pets be allowed on the Walkway?

Only leashed dogs and other pets will be allowed on the bridge. Pet owners will be responsible for the removal and proper disposal of pet waste.

What recreational uses and special events will be allowed?

The bridge will provide recreational uses similar to a trail: waling, biking, rollerblading, jogging, etc. In addition, the Walkway will host special events and park activities that are compatible with the Walkway (group events will be by special permit only).

Will there be a fee?

New York State Parks will not charge a fee to access the Walkway. Permit fees may apply for some special events.

Will restrooms be available? If so, where?

Restrooms will be provided at least at one end and possibly both ends of the bridge.

Will there be garbage cans, or will this be a carry-in, carry-out facility?

The practice of carry-in, carry-out will be strongly encouraged. However, some garbage cans will be strategically located on the bridge.

Are streets going to be closed?

It is anticipated that streets beneath the bridge will be closed, one at a time, during the construction phase to allow the placement of prefabricated concrete panels on top of the bridge. Once construction is completed, there will not be any impact on streets beneath the bridge.

How will construction staging occur?

The Walkway surface is being constructed using prefabricated concrete panels that are being transported to the bridge.Working from both the east and west ends of the bridge, the contractor will place panels one by one, working towards the center of the bridge. Construction will be done during daytime hours.

Who are the contractors doing the work?

The removal of the old material from the bridge is being done by Environmental Remediation Services, Inc. from Schenectady, New York. New panels are being fabricated by the Fort Miller Co., Inc. from Schuylerville, New York. The bridge metal repairs and the installation of the panels and railings is being done by Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, Inc. from Glenmont, New York.

Where will construction vehicles be stored?

Because of the long, linear nature of the bridge, few vehicles and heavy equipment are expected.Vehicles will be stored on the bridge, or at each end in a staging area, when they are not being used.

Will there be property acquisitions?

The bridge is already owned by the not-for-profit Walkway Over the Hudson. Upon completion of construction, ownership will be transferred to an appropriate state agency (not yet determined). Beyond this, no property acquisitions are anticipated at this time.

Is there lead paint on the bridge? Will it have to be removed?

There has been lead paint on the bridge for most of its 120year history.The paint will be removed only in limited areas; for example, where the proposed concrete panels will make contact with the steel. All lead removal activities will comply with applicable rules and regulations.

Will repairs to the bridge impact the waterway and its habitat?

There will be no underwater construction activities and therefore no adverse impacts to the river and its habitat.

Will there be increased car traffic in the area?

An increase in car traffic can be expected as a result of this new state park. However, the existing highway and street network is ample to handle the increase.

Will there be increased noise during and after construction?

The majority of work will involve the fabrication of panels and railings, which is to be accomplished off site, and the placement of prefabricated panels and railings during daytime hours. Consequently, construction noise will be relatively low compared to typical bridge reconstruction projects.The number of construction vehicles will be minimal due to the narrow, linear configuration of the bridge. Once the park is open, noise levels on most days will be like that of typical pedestrian and bicycle trails. Increased noise can be expected during special events.

What is the best way for the public to contribute to the organization?

Become a member, contribute to the Build A Bridge capital campaign, or become a volunteer! Visit www.walkway.org and click on Donate Here, at the top of the page, and read more