View no.17: Walkway Over the Hudson

Watercolor on Linen / 13.5“ X 19”

A second landmark bridge in Poughkeepsie is the 1889 railroad bridge. It was the earliest to be built across the Hudson River south of Albany. At 212 feet above the river and 1.29 miles long, it was the most ambitious steel bridge at the time. It was later reinforced to carry two trains at once, and to withstand the force of a hurricane. Closed in 1974, it was converted in 1998 into the longest pedestrian walkway in the world celebrating the 400th anniversary of Hudson’s journey.      

The bridge is connected to trails at both ends and also to the waterfront with an elevator. It has become one of the biggest attractions in the Hudson River Valley.