For More Information Contact:
Colleen Pillus
845-486-2000
Email: cpillus@dutchessny.gov
Poughkeepsie… The Dutchess Rail Trail will get a big “lift” toward completion this weekend. Dutchess County Department of Public Works Engineering Division, in conjunction with the New York State Department of Transportation, has announced the trusses and girders that will create the Dutchess Rail Trail bridge over New York State Route 55, Wappinger Creek and Old Manchester Road will be assembled and lifted into place over a five day period starting this Friday, July 26th. The assembly and lift schedule will cause lane and road closures at various times during that time and motorists are asked to schedule their travel in this area accordingly to avoid delays. The complete schedule is listed below.
“This is the moment so many people have been waiting for,” said Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro. “Getting these bridge components lifted into place is a major milestone in this long journey. Thousands of people have enjoyed the completed sections of the trail and we look forward to the full Dutchess Rail Trail, including the connection to the Walkway Over the Hudson, to be complete and open for use later this fall.”
The massive bridge will be 700 feet in length and will consist of weathered steel trusses that will span over six lanes of traffic over Route 55 and over Old Manchester Road, connected by steel plate girders over the Wappinger Creek. The trusses are longer versions of the ones used for the Dutchess Rail Trail road crossings at Titusville Road in LaGrange, Maloney Road in Wappinger and Route 376 in East Fishkill.
Once the bridge is in place, crews will spend several weeks forming and pouring concrete decking that will create the walking surface over the bridge. Additionally, fencing and railing will need to be installed along the bridge.
The bridge is being funded by the NYS Department of Transportation. The estimated cost to construct and install the bridge is approximately $3.1 million.
Roadway/lane closure schedule:
| Friday, July 26 |
New York State Route 55 will be closed overnight between CR 46 (Overlook Road) and the CR 49 (Old Manchester Road) spur from 10pm to 6am for assembly of the truss. A signed detour will be in place to guide motorist around the closure. |
| Saturday, July 27 |
Route 55 westbound lane closures will be in place for both the left lane and center lane as the truss will be staged in Route 55 during the day. Route 55 will be closed overnight between CR 46 (Overlook Road) and the CR 49 (Old Manchester Road) spur again from 10pm until 6am for installation of the bridge. A signed detour will be in place to guide motorist around the closure |
| Monday, July 29 |
The right lane of Route 55 eastbound will be closed from 5am to 6pm as steel plate girders are installed over the field. |
| Tuesday, July 30 |
CR 49 (Old Manchester Road) southbound lane will be closed as needed from 5am to 6pm for installation of the girders over the Wappinger Creek. Flaggers will be used as needed. There will be two full closures of the road for approximately 30 minutes each while beams are lifted into a place. Motorists will be redirected as necessary by flag crews. |
| Wednesday, July 31 |
CR 49 (Old Manchester) will be closed from 5am to 6pm for installation of the truss over the roadway. A signed detour will be in place to guide motorist around the closure. Motorists traveling between from CR 44 (Red Oaks Mill Road) toward CR 49 should be aware that there will be no access to Route 55. Only local traffic (those who live on the road) should be utilizing the roadway. |
Dutchess Rail Trail users should be aware the trail parking lot at Old Manchester Road is closed until Thursday, August 1 as it will be used as a staging area for construction equipment.
