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A recent attempt by the Catskill Mountain Railroad to halt the replacement of a bridge over Basin Road in Kingston has been deemed invalid. On March 30, the railroad submitted a petition with over 2,500 signatures to the Ulster County Legislature, seeking a public vote on whether the bridge should be replaced with a pedestrian bridge. The railroad argued that the decision lacked adequate public notice and comprehensive assessments. However, on April 2, county attorneys ruled that the petition was invalid as the resolution did not fall under categories requiring a public vote.
The existing bridge, which is 19 inches too low for construction vehicles, is part of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's $750 million Ashokan Century project. The project aims to replace the bridge with a pedestrian path, funded entirely by the department. Despite objections from the railroad, which proposed raising the bridge at its own expense, the Ulster County Legislature voted 19-3 in favor of the replacement. Legislators cited safety and compliance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards as reasons for the decision.
Daily Freeman reported that the railroad's CEO, Ernie Hunt, was unaware of the ruling. The railroad has expressed concerns that the bridge replacement is intended to hinder its expansion plans. Meanwhile, the county is conducting a study to determine the feasibility of expanding the railroad's operations through a 1.8-mile undesignated section of the corridor.
Hudson Valley One noted that the decision has been met with mixed reactions from residents and railroad supporters. Some argue that the railroad's growth is essential for local tourism and employment. The resolution ensures that the new bridge will enhance the connection between the Ulster & Delaware Corridor and the Ashokan Rail Trail.