About America's Longest Pedestrian Bridge
This old train bridge has been turned into the world’s longest pedestrian bridge
A pedestrian bridge is a type of bridge that is designed specifically for foot traffic, bicycles, and other non-motorized modes of transportation.
Walkway Over the Hudson (formerly named Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge) is the longest pedestrian bridge in America. In fact, it is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. The State of New York recognizes Walkway Over The Hudson as the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. The World Record Academy defines it as the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge.
The bridge was originally built as a double track railroad bridge and completed on January 1, 1889, forming part of the Maybrook Railroad Line of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. This old train bridge that crosses the Hudson River has been turned into the world’s longest pedestrian walkway.
Hundreds of thousands walk over the bridge to cross the Hudson River each year. In October 2009, the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened as a legacy project of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. The park provides access to the Hudson River's breathtaking landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and people with disabilities.
The over-all length of the bridge, including approaches, is 6,767 feet. The Warren deck-truss spans 2,640 feet, the seven deck-truss spans 3,094 feet and one deck-girder spans 1,033 feet.
The minimum clear height, between mean high water and the bottom of the deepest truss, is 130 feet, while the total height from foundation to base of rail is 342 feet.
The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge (now known as Walkway Over The Hudson) was built in the late 19th century to link New York and New England to an extensive, nationwide railway network. For decades, it was a major rail corridor for both freight and passengers. Until 1924, it was the only bridge crossing the Hudson between New York City and Albany.
After a fire in 1974, the bridge was abandoned and sat for decades as an orphaned relic. The park was made possible due to the unwavering commitment of the community, who, through a non-profit organization called Walkway Over the Hudson, forged a public-private partnership involving the State of New York, the federal government, neighboring municipalities, private corporations and other not for profit groups.
The amazing result of this partnership is Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, one of the Hudson Valley's top attractions. Today, it's the world's oldest remaining riveted steel cantilever bridge. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Ride the glass elevator up to the park or down to the Poughkeepsie waterfront and be treated to great views of the surrounding scenery and the structure of the bridge. The elevator is located at Upper Landing Park (83 N. Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY), a short walk from the Poughkeepsie Train Station.
While there is no vehicular parking at Upper Landing, parking can be found in the surrounding area. The Walkway Over the Hudson is a universally accessible attraction that forms part of the Walkway Loop Trail and links to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail for longer excursions.