Reprinted with permission from the Times Union
HUDSON – The sidewalk along the Rip Van Winkle Bridge spanning the Hudson River in Columbia and Greene counties will get a makeover starting January 9.
The state Bridge Authority will resume construction on the sidewalk, a $5.4 million project, that will end in November, part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s statewide infrastructure investment plan.
The work is also a part of the Hudson River SkyWalk project, a scenic pedestrian trail linking the Olana State Historic Site in the town of Greenport to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the village of Catskill, according to the Bridge Authority.
Earlier this month, the Hudson River SkyWalk project was awarded $875,000 in Gov. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.
The latest phase includes scenic look-out points and pedestrian safety improvements along the bridge sidewalk.
During the work, pedestrians won’t be able to cross the bridge on the sidewalk from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
The work on the look-out points will require a full 24-hour closure for up to four days per look-out.
Pedestrians won’t be able to use the bridge during those times.
Closures will be announced in advance so the public can make alternative transportation arrangements as necessary. For Twitter updates on bridge projects, see @NYSBridge
