Albany Bicycle Coalition Supports Hudson River Bikeway over the Livingston Avenue Bridge – Corning Preserve/BoatLauch
Livingston Ave. Bridge - Open
We were pleased to see growing momentum for returning the Livingston Avenue Rail Road Bridge to its original configuration combining train, bicycle, and pedestrian travel over the Hudson. Albany Bicycle Coalition has joined with the Livingston Ave. Rail Road Bridge Coalition and others to support this effort.
As reported in Albany Times Union (1/28/12), Mike Stammel, Rensselaer County legislator, is proposing legislation to give a push to his side of the river.
What are we doing on the west bank?
Bryan Fitzgerald, TU Staff writer reported that Mr. Stammel will introduce a resolution to restore a walkway on the Bridge. For reference, this will connect directly to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail facilitating access to Albnay, Troy, Watervliet, and points north and south as well as opening up Rensselaer County to recreational and commuter riders. This is not asking for anything new as the bridge always had a walkway. The dilapidated walk/bikeway closed in the early 1990s. Reopening the bridge to cyclists and pedestrians will draw tourists. The rotating bridge was built in 1866 and rebuilt in 1901.
A project to replace the bridge has been in the works for years, but has stalled over lack of funding.
For the two years I have lived in Albany, my support for the many projects to improve bicycling here has been unwavering. However, I can not get behind this particular project. There is already a bike path leading over the Hudson less then 300 yards south of the train bridge. The path is sheilded from vehicluar traffic, wide and smooth. While it would be a prettier ride and allow for an easier crossing (less of a climb) the Hudson, I feel it is a waste of time, money and effort. Our resources can be put to a better use.
Ray
The thing is if the bike/ped path is not included into the redesign of the Livingston Ave Bridge then the Dunn memorial Bridge (which is the one you speak of 3000 yards south) will be the only viable connection for bicycles between troy and catskill (or east and west/cross the river). The Dunn Memorial Bridge path is steep and narrow (lots of glass too) and according to the Livingston Ave Railroad Bridge Coalition, constructed as an afterthought.
The Livingston Ave Bridge bike/ped path is flat and easy to cross – plus it is aesthetically pleasing. Not to mention the history.
Finally, imagine if the Dunn Memorial Bridge to be inaccessible for cyclists. How would we cross the river?
There are many reasons to why we should advocate to include the bike/ped path into the redesign of the LAB.