"It needs to be replaced, we were told it's going to be replaced, so let's do it in a way that's going to enhance Albany"
City & State's recent infrastructure series include a section on Albany -- and highlighted the (long developing) push for a pedestrian walkway for the Livingston Avenue Bridge replacement. From a Kathy Sheehan quote: "This is an infrastructure investment that then incentivizes the development of under-utilized property on that side of the river, on this side of the river, because you have that way of attracting people down here, of connecting them back and forth and, again, of thinking of the other side of the river as just an extension of the community." [City & State]
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I can't look a gift horse in the mouth. The fact the LAB is under discussion and being touted by the Mayor's office is a HUGE win for Albany and as a guy who's been front an center of the effort, I'm eternally grateful.
But...
I also know a lot gets lost in the noise between talking points, 10,000 other things going on, a reporter's notes, and copy editing.
To my knowledge there's no organized effort seeking to preserve the bridge and turn it into a walkway.
"One goal of the plan is to repurpose a railroad bridge, which was built in 1903 and is set to be replaced within the next five years, into a pedestrian walkway that would connect to the Rensselaer side of the river...."
Perhaps just semantics. Perhaps the reporter used the work "re-purposed" simply because it's easier to use instead of "when the bridge is replaced so too should the walkway."
I'm optimistic, but also pragmatic. I know that keeping this bridge safe, operational, and maintained is a heavy heavy lift. The important thing, connectivity and recreation wise, is to maintain a bike and pedestrian crossing - that can come with a new bridge so long as a walkway is preserved.
In the meantime - big thanks to Mayor Sheehan's administration for standing up and keeping this issue at the forefront!
... said daleyplanit on Mar 9, 2016 at 2:28 PM | link
Besides the Amtrak station which is almost a mile from the bridge, I guess it's the Mayor's thought that people will come by the hundreds (on foot) from Rensselaer to Albany.
Well, that is creative.
... said Cyril on Mar 9, 2016 at 2:41 PM | link
I would so love to see this happen, I can't believe that 5 years have passed since you ran the original story. Hopefully, this mayor will get the wheels turning.
... said Kate on Mar 9, 2016 at 3:24 PM | link
Cyril, there's a potential to connect a walkway over the bridge directly to the Corning Preserve. Depending on what's on the Rensselaer side, it could be a really attractive addition. Doesn't take much effort to see how popular the preserve/bike path are.
... said -B on Mar 10, 2016 at 9:55 AM | link
@cyril @B
It's not just the preserve or train station, but residential and tech development on both sides between the burgeoning warehouse district, city of Rensselaer's Waterfront plans (see my link), and downtown Albany's apartment boom. If and when the walkway is built it has remarkable direct connection to some very popular assets.
... said daleyplanit on Mar 10, 2016 at 4:06 PM | link
@cyril, I guess haters have to hate, which is what they said about the Walkway Over the Hudson. "No way folks will want to walk a bridge in...Poughkeepsie?!?!" Now this community on the Hudson sees 500,000 unique pieces of foot traffic because of the walkway over the river.
Not saying we'll see similar numbers in Albany, but I think there is a desire and a need for a similar recreational attraction in the Capital Region and it will certainly draw immediate residents and those from the region. Albany is already exploring ways and making investments to tie the waterfront more firmly to downtown, and now the Warehouse district is a part of that equation. Can't wait to be able to bus down with the family, enjoy some good food, head over to Huck Fynn's Playground, pop over to Corning Preserve and enjoy Albany's own "walkway."
I go to the Preserve frequently over the summer months and there is certainly a lot of foot traffic, I think this kind of development would be a game changer and feed off of all those who presently use the waterfront and draw in even more.
... said Rich on Mar 11, 2016 at 9:05 AM | link