Poughkeepsie Journal

January 10, 2008

Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday what Fred Schaeffer has believed for years: The Poughkeepsie Railroad
Bridge has potential to be something amazing.

 

Schaeffer, chairman of Walkway Over the Hudson, a nonprofit group dedicated to turning the

long-dormant structure into the world's longest pedestrian bridge, said Spitzer's acknowledgment of

the bridge and promise of state support for the project was just what his group needed.

"It's a huge step, because it's been something people have a hard time visualizing the potential for,"

Schaeffer said.

In his State of the State address, Spitzer announced his plans to make the walkway the first major

parks investment in advance of the 400-year anniversary of Henry Hudson's first exploration of the

river.

"I am announcing the state's commitment to transform the dormant Poughkeepsie Rail Bridge into

an awe-inspiring historic park, complete with a walkway and bikeway that will create a unique

public space with breathtaking views of the Hudson ," Spitzer said in his speech.

Echoing the governor's optimism, more than 500 people attended an informational meeting

Wednesday night at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel to learn more about the proposal. Organizers

said they were expecting 100-150.

With a goal of a September 2009 grand opening, the proposed project includes a 35-foot-wide span

for hiking, jogging and biking, with benches and lights, plus elevators to provide handicapped and

bicycle access from near Washington Avenue in the City of Poughkeepsie . It would be run as a

state park, and would be the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. That title is held by the 5,353

foot Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River north of St. Louis .

The Walkway Over the Hudson project would cost $25 million, of which Spitzer will propose $16

million in state aid, Spitzer's top environmental adviser, Judith Enck, said Wednesday. That money

would be part of a $1 billion proposal Spitzer plans to include in his budget, which would need

legislative approval.

Economic projections presented Wednesday predicted about 267,700 visitors per year, including

110,000 from outside Dutchess and Ulster counties. Visitor spending of $21 million would provide

$727,411 in local tax revenue, $1.3 million in state and local tax revenue, and lead directly and

indirectly to creation of 258 jobs, according to the projection, compiled by Camoin Associates of

Saratoga Springs .

 

Since a 1974 fire ended rail transportation over the bridge, proposals for the structure have ranged

from demolition to a $500 million shopping center that would span the river. Previous plans have

fizzled out, but attendees at Wednesday's meeting said they believe this project finally has the momentum

 it needs.

 

"I just got discouraged because I didn't feel like it was going anywhere," Matt Smith, project

manager of the Highland Landing Park Association, said of previous efforts in the early '90s. "It's

certainly undergone a complete transformation in people's mind's from the hare-brained scheme it

was then."

Enthusiasm is apparent

Marcia Bystryn, executive director of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said Spitzer's

recognition of the bridge's importance means the time is perfect for a final push to build the

walkway.

"He's given us an opening, and I think we should all move right through," Bystryn said.

Other organizations that have shown support for the Walkway project include the City of

Poughkeepsie Common Council, the New York State Bridge Authority, the U.S. Department of

Transportation and the Millbrook-based Dyson Foundation, which granted the group $1.5 million

for engineering and planning studies last year.

"I think it will become a world-famous tourist attraction," Schaeffer said. "And it seems like people

are really starting to believe that now."

 

Gannett News Service contributed to this report. Reach Greg Marano at

gmarano@poughkee.gannett.com or 845-437-4809.