The second section of the Helderberg Hudson Rail Trail is now paved
Check it out: The second segment of the Albany County's Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail -- from Slingerlands to Voorheesville -- is now paved.
We took a spin on the 4-mile segment this Saturday. The newly-paved section starts just west of the Slingerlands parking lot, crosses the Font Grove roads, slices through many shady sections alongside fields with views of the Helderbergs through the trees, passes the Hilton Barn in New Scotland, spans State Farm Road, traverses the Vly Creek, and ends at Grove Street in Voorheesville. The pavement is luxuriously smooth.
That makes (almost) nine miles of continues paved trail from South Pearl Street in the city of Albany out through Bethlehem, New Scotland, and Voorheesville.
That "almost" is in reference to a short segment at the Slingerlands parking lot and bridge over New Scotland Road that's not paved. Presumably that's part of the parking lot/trailhead makeover -- Albany County said in May that it's hoping to have the design for that project finished this summer. (The county is also considering how to use the old depot building alongside the trail there that it purchased this past December.)
Back in May we wrote about a few things about the upcoming paving and the future of the rail trail. One thing we'd add to that: The newly-paved section includes some long stretches without any cross streets. It'd be nice for there to be a stopping place or two along there for people who'd like to rest or move to the side for a quick bike repair.
Here are a few quick pics from the newly-paved segment if you'd like a look...
Look up
Photos are at the top in large format -- click or scroll all the way up.
Earlier
+ The Madison Ave traffic calming project is finished -- so what's next?
+ High traffic spots on the area's walk/bike trails
+ The plan to connect two major bike paths at the Albany waterfront
+ The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail
+ Mapping out a future for bikes in Troy
+ Here are the new bike share service area maps and hub locations
(Thanks, D.)
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Comments
Yippie!
... said Jamie on Jul 10, 2018 at 10:16 AM | link
Hello,
In addition to the paving, we have an opportunity to view some of the upcoming proposal for the new ART (Art on the Rail Trail) project coming this summer.
Please feel free to join us. Open to the public.
https://www.facebook.com/events/191560351524481/
... said Paul Barrett on Jul 10, 2018 at 12:26 PM | link
Are there bathroom facilities at the Voorheesville end? There's a very long stretch from Stewarts in Delmar to Voorheesville without any facilities (at least as I recall from a couple of years ago).
... said Erin T on Jul 10, 2018 at 1:02 PM | link
Just read this and went for a ride. The section isn't quite finished. Crews were still working on sections near the barn making them impassable. Just an FYI...
... said Joe on Jul 10, 2018 at 1:04 PM | link
“The County is also considering how to use the old depot building alongside the trail that it purchased lst December.”
Simple: a water fountain. Look no further than Niskayuna for an example of what to do with an historic station building to preserve alongside a rail trail.
All sarcasm aside, I rode up that hill yesterday with temperatures near 90 Fahrenheit expected. Water at or near the top would be a welcome addition to the trail experience!
Overall, this is a great experience. I hope to return again and again, especially since I can now make it all the way to the end without having to worry about the detrimental effects of the unpaved surface (spitting stones at others, punctures, slow running). The whole trail is now a 50-mile round trip from my place.
See you out there!
... said Biker Jefff on Jul 10, 2018 at 1:38 PM | link
Erin T, go all the way to the end and you'll find a parking lot with a porta-privvy.
If that doesn't appeal, there are options. Turn left at Voorheesville Ave, go over the tracks, and you'll find a Stewart's. Or, turn left on Voorheesville Ave, left again on Pine St., cross Route 85A and you'll be in front of a Hannaford. The restroom is sort of hidden in the produce section.
... said Zed F on Jul 10, 2018 at 6:55 PM | link