The Hudson River is 315 miles (507 km) long and runs north to south, rising at Lake Tear of the Clouds on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains, and flowing past Albany, Poughkeepsie, and Newburgh, then ending in NYC where it empties into Upper New York Bay. It was named after the English adventurer Henry Hudson, sailing for the Dutch East India Company, who explored the river in 1609.
In 1890, construction began on a steel railroad bridge of cantilever design that would cross the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie on the east bank of the river to Highland on the west bank. Finished in 1894, the bridge served as a convenient railroad entryway into New England from the west between Albany to the north, and NYC to the south. In 1974, a bridge fire resulting in damage the then railroad owner decided not to repair, took the bridge out of service. It had been standing unused, ever since, except until recently when it was converted into a pedestrian walkway across the river.
To convert the railroad bridge to a walkway, the rails and ties were replaced with a concrete deck. The bridge stands 212 feet above the river and is 1.28 miles long. The width of the Hudson varies greatly along its length with its greatest width of over 3.5 miles located somewhat farther south. The resulting converted structure is known as the Walkway over the Hudson and is now a state historical park. You can read more about the Walkway, and see a photo of the original cantilever structure at the website. Go to: http://www.walkway.org
The Hudson River and its valley is an exceptionally beautiful area along virtually its entire length. The views from the Walkway are spectacular considering its height and are well worth the walk for those who enjoy scenic vistas. The western end of the bridge lands in Highland, NY in Ulster County. The actual village, or hamlet, of Highland is somewhat to the north of the bridge so the terrain at the bridges west end is heavily forested highlands climbing out of the Hudson River Valley.
The Walkway can be accessed from either side of the Hudson. Parking lots are available on both sides and the fee is US $5 for 4 hours. On the Poughkeepsie side, one could also park on the street for free. A bicycle rental shop is nearby the parking lot on the Poughkeepsie side for those who wish to cycle across. Pets are allowed on the Walkway but during the summer months the deck temperature can be 20 deg F above the ambient. Once you enter onto the concrete Walkway there is no shade anywhere, nor anyplace to get off the concrete until you reach the other side, so keep this in mind.
For an account of our trip to the Walkway and a selection of photos we took from the bridge, go to:
http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49150
Happy Motoring!
In 1890, construction began on a steel railroad bridge of cantilever design that would cross the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie on the east bank of the river to Highland on the west bank. Finished in 1894, the bridge served as a convenient railroad entryway into New England from the west between Albany to the north, and NYC to the south. In 1974, a bridge fire resulting in damage the then railroad owner decided not to repair, took the bridge out of service. It had been standing unused, ever since, except until recently when it was converted into a pedestrian walkway across the river.
To convert the railroad bridge to a walkway, the rails and ties were replaced with a concrete deck. The bridge stands 212 feet above the river and is 1.28 miles long. The width of the Hudson varies greatly along its length with its greatest width of over 3.5 miles located somewhat farther south. The resulting converted structure is known as the Walkway over the Hudson and is now a state historical park. You can read more about the Walkway, and see a photo of the original cantilever structure at the website. Go to: http://www.walkway.org
The Hudson River and its valley is an exceptionally beautiful area along virtually its entire length. The views from the Walkway are spectacular considering its height and are well worth the walk for those who enjoy scenic vistas. The western end of the bridge lands in Highland, NY in Ulster County. The actual village, or hamlet, of Highland is somewhat to the north of the bridge so the terrain at the bridges west end is heavily forested highlands climbing out of the Hudson River Valley.
The Walkway can be accessed from either side of the Hudson. Parking lots are available on both sides and the fee is US $5 for 4 hours. On the Poughkeepsie side, one could also park on the street for free. A bicycle rental shop is nearby the parking lot on the Poughkeepsie side for those who wish to cycle across. Pets are allowed on the Walkway but during the summer months the deck temperature can be 20 deg F above the ambient. Once you enter onto the concrete Walkway there is no shade anywhere, nor anyplace to get off the concrete until you reach the other side, so keep this in mind.
For an account of our trip to the Walkway and a selection of photos we took from the bridge, go to:
http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49150
Happy Motoring!
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