Construction Slated to Begin This Summer

POUGHKEEPSIE--With the release of its comprehensive final design report, Walkway Over the Hudson's effort to transform the historic Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge into an elevated pedestrian park met an important benchmark last week, setting the stage for the construction phase which is scheduled to begin this summer.

The 119-page final report, produced by the project management firm, Bergmann Associates, gives specific engineering and design details for the bridge restoration project and meets regulatory requirements established under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The report includes 196 public comments (along with responses from appropriate officials) about the project that were received following a Jan. 9 public information meeting attended by more than 500 people at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.

"The many varied comments, questions and concerns expressed by the public have helped to shape and improve the Walkway project as reflected in this final design report," said Walkway Over the Hudson Chairman Fred Schaeffer. "It just demonstrates the broad level of community involvement and excitement that this project continues to generate."

The report was released with a cover letter from Thomas Lyons, Director of Resource Management for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which is serving as the lead agency for the SEQRA review of the project. "Upon completion of the construction activities, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (New York State Parks) will assume responsibility for administering public use of the Walkway Over the Hudson, including staffing, operating costs, and maintaining the trail features and associated public facilities," Lyons stated in the letter, which was distributed along with the report to involved organizations and government agencies.

New York State has become a committed partner in the Walkway Over the Hudson project, which is targeted for completion in time for the bridge to serve as a centerpiece of the state's 2009 Quadricentennial Celebration of Henry Hudson's first voyage up the Hudson River. In January, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer allocated $8 million toward the Walkway project in his 2008-09 executive budget, which is expected to be approved in April. The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has awarded $655,000 in grants to Walkway and more funding is anticipated from the state.

Click here to read a copy of the full report...

Walkway Over the Hudson is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with headquarters in Poughkeepsie, New York. The organization can be reached at 845-454-9649 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, March 5, 2008

Contact:
Fred Schaeffer, Chairman
Walkway Over the Hudson
845-518-6071

Peter Melewski, Principal
Bergmann Associates
518-573-1668

Stephen Densmore, Press Liaison
845-234-8713