Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Walkway Over the Hudson
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 2, 2010
1. Walkway Over the Hudson Marker
Inscription.
Walkway Over the Hudson. .
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.
History . . Completed in 1888, the Poughkeepsie-Highland train bridge was then the longest bridge in the world and considered an engineering marvel. . The 525 foot spans are the largest and heaviest trusses in the world. . 10 story underwater timber caissons were built to set the concrete foundations for the bridge. . Considered a landmark piece of the Hudson valleys industrial past, the bridge soon became a major link in the nation's rail network. Over the next 60 years, it would support 50 trains per day. . The bridge has been virtually idle for about 35 years after a spectacular fire severely damaged it in 1974, ending an era of rail transportation.
Rebuilding . . The Walkway Over the Hudson non-profit organization was founded in 1992. . Their mission: to preserve the landmark railroad bridge, transform the bridge into a linear park and trail and to provide long-term stewardship. In 1995 Walkway Over the Hudson assumed ownership of the bridge, establishing partnerships with federal and state government, businesses, foundations and the community. . With a length of 6,767 feet (approximately 1.25 miles), the walkway is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. . The top of the bridge deck is 212 above the water and the width is 24 feet.
Walkway . . Provides public access to the Hudson River's scenic landscape for pedestrians, bicyclists, hikers, joggers, and people with disabilities. . Connects with an extensive network of rail-trails, parks and communities on both sides of the river.
Board Members:. Fred Schaeffer, Chairman . Claire Costantino, Vice Chair . Dick Coller, Vice Chair . Theresa Gill, Secretary . David Santner, Treasurer . Amy Husten, Executive Director . Michael Asbill . Joseph Bonura Jr. . Chuck Benfer . Jeanne Flemming . Diana Gurieva . Jim Hammond . William Keating . Mitch Markay . Sally Mazzarella . Judy Moran . Charles North . John Storyk
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.
History
Completed in 1888, the Poughkeepsie-Highland train bridge was then the longest bridge in the world and considered an engineering marvel.
The 525 foot spans are the largest and heaviest trusses in the world.
10 story underwater timber caissons were built to set the concrete foundations for the bridge.
Considered a landmark piece of the Hudson valleys industrial past, the bridge soon became a major link in the nation's rail network. Over the next 60 years, it would support 50 trains per day.
The bridge has been virtually idle for about 35 years after a spectacular fire severely damaged it in 1974, ending an era of rail transportation.
Rebuilding
The Walkway Over the Hudson non-profit organization was founded in 1992.
Their mission: to preserve the landmark railroad bridge, transform the bridge into a linear park and trail and to provide long-term stewardship. In 1995 Walkway Over the Hudson assumed ownership of the bridge, establishing partnerships with federal and state government, businesses, foundations and the
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community.
With a length of 6,767 feet (approximately 1.25 miles), the walkway is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world.
The top of the bridge deck is 212 above the water and the width is 24 feet.
Walkway
Provides public access to the Hudson River's scenic landscape for pedestrians, bicyclists, hikers, joggers, and people with disabilities.
Connects with an extensive network of rail-trails, parks and communities on both sides of the river.
Board Members:
Fred Schaeffer, Chairman Claire Costantino, Vice Chair Dick Coller, Vice Chair Theresa Gill, Secretary David Santner, Treasurer Amy Husten, Executive Director Michael Asbill Joseph Bonura Jr. Chuck Benfer Jeanne Flemming Diana Gurieva Jim Hammond William Keating Mitch Markay Sally Mazzarella Judy Moran Charles North John Storyk
2009 Eagle Project
Donated by: Alex Palmiotti, BSA Troop 50
Poughkeepsie, NY
Erected 2009.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 41° 42.477′ N, 73° 56.419′ W. Marker is in Poughkeepsie, New York, in Dutchess County. Marker is at the
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 2, 2010
2. Detail from the Marker
A train crosses the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge
intersection of Main Street and North Water Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Located in Waryas Memorial Park on the Hudson River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Poughkeepsie NY 12601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . 1. Walkway Over the Hudson. (Submitted on November 12, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.) 2. Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on January 29, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Additional commentary. 1. Length and Width of Walkway There are a few errors in the article.Walkway Over The Hudson is 6,768 feet long,and 1.28 miles long.It is 25 feet wide,not 24 feet as you
Photographed By Michael Herrick, November 2, 2010
3. Detail from the Marker
Construction workers on the bridge steelwork
have.Contact Walkway Over The Hudson staff and other sites for verification.Thank you for your time.
Walkway Over the Hudson, formerly the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, spans the Hudson River
Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,499 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 12, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.