Enhancements to two bridges along the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail are progressing, and a three-mile section of the trail through New Scotland is expected to open next month.
Volunteers have finished improvements to the Vly Creek bridge in Voorheesville, including constructing railings and a new deck to safely span railroad ties. More complex improvements have also begun on another village bridge over Route 155, including installing fencing on each side for pedestrian and vehicle safety.
“We are really fortunate that the bridge was structurally very sound and with the help of a group of skilled volunteers and engineering, we will have an attractive crossing over Vly Creek,” project leader Scott Lewendon said.
Additional trail clearing and mowing will be completed before to the public. The new three-mile portion will be limited to pedestrian usage because of the existing trail surface quality and some unprotected, steep sections. The project will have a total cost of around $21,500 for bridge improvements.
Selkirk-based JAT Construction will install needed fencing along the Route 155 overpass for approximately $17,000. The Albany County Department of Public Works will provide traffic control assistance along the bridge as work progresses.
“The recent progress made to this point on the Rail Trail affirms that partnerships work,” Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said in a statement. “I want to commend the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy for working with the county on this vital recreational project and for energizing volunteers to vary out the work needed to be done.”
The county would not allow portions of the trail to open without the bridge improvements. Lewendon, a member of Friends of the Rail Trail Group, petitioned the New Scotland Town Board in mid-September to provide the remaining $4,500 to complete the project. The board awarded the funding, which will be drawn from the town parkland fund. Developers building in the town pay into the account, which is reserved for park improvements.
New Scotland Town Supervisor Tom Dolin said he was “very pleased” to see the trail improvements progressing and welcomed further collaboration.
The project will allow the portion of trail between Upper Font Grove and Voorheesville Avenue to be accessed for the first time.
New Scotland Highway Superintendent Ken Guyer previously said this portion of the trail, though it was only open to volunteers to clear the trail, has received “a lot of use” and “sees a lot of walkers.”
The Voorheesville Community and School Foundation contributed $10,000 and the Mohawk-Hudson Land Conservancy compiled its restricted funds and donations for $7,076.
Albany County has initiated engineering and design work for another portion of the trail stretching from the South Pearl Street in Albany to the underpass on Delaware Avenue. This section would be completed as a paved, shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Albany project would tap federal funds administered by the state Department of Transportation, state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and matching funds from Albany County. Construction is planned to start next fall and be completed in late 2015.
For information about the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail or to volunteer, call the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy at 436-6346, or visit www.mohawkhudson.org. Donation information can also be found on the MHLC website.