The Poughkeepsie Bridge (sometimes known as the "Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge" or the "Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge") is a steel cantilever single track railway bridge spanning the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie, New York on the east bank and Highland, New York on the west. It was completed in 1889 and went out of service after cathing on fire in 1974. It is expected to reopen in 2009 as a pedestrian bridge.

The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge was the first bridge to be built over the Hudson River from the ocean all the way up to Albany. It was a technological wonder. Opened in 1889 soon after the Brooklyn Bridge opened, it is not only higher above the water than the Brooklyn Bridge, and founded deeper in the water, but also longer. When it opened, its promoters claimed it was the longest (6,767 feet) bridge in the world.

The rehabilitated bridge is expected to open in the fall of 2009, in time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson sailing up his namesake river. When completed, the bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, will tie rail trails on both sides of the river, creating a 35-mile trail. The bridge, now owned by Walkway Over the Hudson, would be turned over to the state after construction, a way to ensure that it's always available to the public and takes advantage of state expertise in park management.

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The photo above shows the Poughkeepsie Bridge as seen from the Mid-Hudson (highway) Bridge. The view is to the North. Poughkeepsie is out of view to the right. Highland, NY is on the left.

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Poughkeepsie Bridge; Highland to Poughkeepsie, NY


(Click Photo for many more Photos of Bridge)