News & Announcements

Contract Signed for Purchase of Albany County Rail Trail

Recreational Trail Will Stretch from Albany to Voorheesville

County Executive Mike Breslin has signed a contract for the purchase of the Albany County Rail Trail from Canadian Pacific Railway.

The proposed rail trail project will convert a nine-mile stretch of the old Delaware & Hudson Railroad between the Port of Albany and Voorheesville to a public recreational trail. Once completed, the Rail Trail would link municipalities along a safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle route. The trail would allow the County to preserve open space in the community, link neighborhoods and promote physical fitness.

“This is an important milestone in the process to convert this former rail bed to a recreational trail,” said Albany County Executive Mike Breslin. “We have already started to assess the safety and structure of the trail which will bring us closer to opening the trail for use by our residents.”

There is a 300-day due diligence period during which environmental assessments will be conducted as well as inspections and evaluation of the eight bridges along the trail. These inspections are currently underway.

“We’re thrilled that the contract of sale with Canadian Pacific Railway has been signed. Creating a rail trail on this abandoned railway line is smart use of existing infrastructure that will enhance the quality of life in the Capital Region, and increase tourism as well. Scenic Hudson is happy to contribute half the purchase price to this worthwhile project,” said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.

“After 15 years of advocating for this corridor to become a trail, Parks & Trails New York is extremely pleased that the vision of a 9-mile trail along the former D&H rail line is now coming to fruition,” said Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization. “We commend Albany County and Scenic Hudson for their commitment to the project and look forward to partnering with local organizations to help area residents develop a trail Friends group that will ensure that the trail will be a successful, safe and enjoyable community asset for years to come.”

Albany County has been partnering with Scenic Hudson, a non-profit conservation organization, to acquire the rail bed. The County has received $700,000 from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Scenic Hudson to purchase the trail.

“Now that we’ve reached another milestone, I would hope that we can complete the conveyance by late spring,” said 35th District Albany County Legislator Charles S. Dawson, Jr. of Bethlehem, chair of the Conservation and Improvement Committee.

Albany County currently maintains a portion of the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail. County officials will assess the feasibility of linking the Albany County Rail Trail with the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail.

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