Poughkeepsie…  Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus and Commissioner of Public Works Charles Traver were in Hopewell Junction area today to check out work progress on Phase III of the Dutchess Rail Trail. Construction workers had laid down about a 4/10 mile length of sub-base trail surface material, starting near Daddy O’s restaurant on Route 82 and extending to Route 376 near the Whortlekill Rod and Gun Club in East Fishkill.   Crews also began laying a first layer of asphalt binder down on the same stretch this afternoon.

“This is the point in the construction progress where we get to see Phase III of the Dutchess Rail Trail really comes to life,” said County Executive Steinhaus.    “We still have some very significant construction work yet to do on this phase, but we are looking forward to having families out on our newest section of the Dutchess Rail Trail by late November.” 

Phase III of the Dutchess Rail Trail will run through LaGrange and Wappinger connecting the East Fishkill Phase I section all the way to Hopewell Junction at Route 82.  This new phase will add more than 6 miles to the Dutchess Rail Trail.   Construction work will be ongoing through the fall and the goal is to have Phase III open and available for public use by 2010 year end.

The sub-base materials being used along the Dutchess Rail Trail are a 20/80 mix of #2 stone and milled asphalt materials that were reclaimed from various road work projects done throughout the area this summer.

“The Dutchess Rail Trail is one of the premiere ways to enjoy the wonderful environment we all enjoy here in Dutchess County and we are very pleased to be building it in an environmentally responsible way, using reclaimed materials rather than stripping materials from the earth.” 

Please Note:  Phase III is a working construction area and is closed to the public while work is in progress