Sunday, July 6, 2014

Poughkeepsie Walking Bridge Across the Hudson

The Poughkeepsie railroad bridge originally carried trains full of people and freight high across the Hudson River. It's now become a part of the New York State Parks system and invites folks to walk across the river at a height of 212 feet. At 1.28 miles long, it is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. Walkway State Park officially opened to the public on Saturday, October 3, 2009.
(Click on any photo to enlarge it.)


 (Above): This public domain photo shows the
Wisconsin Varsity Rowing Team
posing beneath the structure in 1914.


Ro and I visited it on in July, 2014, and
accessed it from the Poughkeepsie side
via a staircase off Washington Street.




The Poughkeepsie end of the bridge disappears into a densely wooded area.


(Above) Looking west, toward the river.


A tall chain link fence protects cars on Route 9
(and people on the ground) below
from objects that might fall or be thrown
off the east end of the bridge. 


(Above) Looking south down the Hudson River
at the Mid-Hudson Bridge connecting Poughkeepsie
and Highland (on the west shore of the river).


A barge makes its way south along the river
under the Mid-Hudson Bridge.


Ro finds it's pretty windy high up in the center
of the walking bridge.


(Above): Looking east toward Poughkeepsie.


From the vantage point high above, you're
actually at the height of tall trees in the
community below.

We only walked halfway across the bridge
before returning to our starting point
but we plan on going back.
If you're in the area of Poughkeepsie,
take the time to walk across the bridge
and appreciate the unique experience it affords you.

2 comments:

  1. Been wanting to talk this walk, Ken, but felt a bit queasy about it. Your detailed photos give me a bit more confidence about how sturdy it is. --Loretta from Nassau County Camera Club

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, Loretta. Yes, it's quite sturdy and well paved/maintained. The area around it seems quite safe as well, at least during the day when we visited. Give it a try, especially on a clear day when you can see (and photograph) up the Hudson.

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