A Bridge Too High?

I lived for several years in Poughkeepsie, New York, where I was a teacher at Poughkeepsie High School and worked at Filene's Department Store at the Poughkeepsie Galleria. I enjoyed getting out into the region, which was rich with history and stuff to do. One day, I will get back for the Dutchess County Fair and the Stormville Airport Flea Market.

One weekend I read in the paper that the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge was going to be opened for people to walk out on a portion of it (a piece of the western terminus, which was not affected by the fire that severely damaged the bridge on this date 35 years ago). That certainly sounded like a really good time.

I'll set the scene for you. It's autumn in the Hudson Valley, so it's a little cold and windy, high above the river (did I say high? the bridge is 212 feet above the surface of the Hudson River), and a group of people are walking out on planks of plywood to a small observation area. The metal railings are in disrepair or missing altogether. Even for someone who does not have a fear of heights - I had had enough soon after getting out there.

The tours were being sponsored by Walkway Over the Hudson, a newly formed group dedicated to restoring the bridge and creating the world's longest (and highest) pedestrian walkway. They are nearly there. Throughout this year, the Hudson Valley will celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's trip up the river that now bears his name. During the first weekend of October, the Walkway Over the Hudson is scheduled to open. I would be up for a road trip up the Hudson . . . I'm assuming they have railings now . . .

The finished walkway will feature a 6,768-foot-long walkway, including 3,094 feet on the main span, 212 feet above the river. The deck would be 25 feet wide. There will be marked areas for bicycling and benches along the span. They will install an elevator on the Poughkeepsie side to bring people to the bridge deck. If you prefer there will be stairs, 22 flights of them. The walkway will connect to rail trails on both sides of the river. Developers are expecting that more than 150,000 visitors a year will cross the bridge.