One of the best projects for recreational cyclists is the coming Albany-Hudson Electric Trail. The project derives from the Albany-Hudson Electric Trolley, an interurban system that operated from 1899 to 1929 powered by the Stuyvesant Falls hydroelectric plant.
SOURCES: http://www.ahettrail.org/ , https://www.columbiapaper.com/2017/11/power-line-trail-plan-aired-khook/#more-12497 , Times Union 12/3/17 – http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Columbia-County-news-12400821.php, ,See map here – route_map
Recently, representatives from the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail and the director of the Empire State Tail reviewed plans for the trail which will extend from Rensselaer County at the north end through Columbia County at least as far south as Stottville and maybe to Greenport. The state taxpayers have given $36 million for the project and National Grid has allowed use of the company land for the trail.
The project is also part of the Hudson River Valley Greenway, a voluntary program created by state law in 1991 to “facilitate the development of a regional strategy for preserving scenic, natural, historic, cultural, and recreational resources while encouraging compatible economic development.” See: http://www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov/home.aspx . Perhaps more importantly, the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail will be a large link in the proposed 750-mile Empire State Trail. See the complete trail plan here .
The next step is complete the design with construction starting in 2019 and finishing in 2020.
The trail will be marked with signs saying no ATVs. Municipalities will maintain the trail, generally limited to mowing a small section. The Erie Canalway Trail will provide municipal officials with the proposed costs of that maintenance work so they could use it for budgeting. The state is committed to long-term maintenance. While the state does not plan to put up fencing along the trail, it would talk to homeowners adjacent to the route who have “site-specific concerns.” The plan calls for six bridges along the entire trail.
To schedule a meeting with a member of the design team, call 518 898-9595. Submit comments at http://www.ahettrail.org/ .
Albany Bicycle Coalition 