Walkway Over The Hudson - Poughkeepsie, New York
Posted by: 
Vermontish
N 41° 42.600 W 073° 56.640
18T E 587851 N 4618117
In the middle of a former railroad bridge
Waymark Code: WM7GXY
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 10/25/2009
Views: 7
When the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge opened for service in 1888, it was the longest bridge in the world and an engineering marvel, deserving of an
article in Scientific American. It was the first rail crossing of the Hudson River, at last allowing direct transit between New England and the western US. For almost 100 years, the bridge served as crucial part of a major transportation route. There's a short video history
here.
With railroads in decline (not to mention Penn Central going bankrupt), the bridge was abandoned when fire damaged it in 1974. In 1995, fundraising commenced, and now, private and corporate donations and state and federal grants have provided the means to convert the bridge into a unique linear park, Walkway Over the Hudson, connecting rail trails on both sides of the river.
On October 3, 2009, the bridge was officially opened as New York's newest State Park and, at 1.28 miles, the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the country, 212 feet above the Hudson River.
The security and maintenance people can drive to this point, but not you and me.
Benches and tables are at either end of the bridge.
Running water, no. PortaPotties, yes.