Panel specifies objections to rail gates
GERMANTOWN, N.Y. » Town Waterfront Advisory Committee members say the proposed fence and gates along Amtrak maintenance roads infringes on recreational access to the Hudson River.
The comments were made in a filing with the state Department of State, which is reviewing a National Railroad Passenger Corp. application to erect barriers to unauthorized access to maintenance roads at seven locations between Rhinecliff and Stuyvesant. Amtrak passenger service runs on tracks largely along the eastern shoreline of the Hudson River.
“The town of Germantown Waterfront Advisory Committee finds that the fencing and gates... may have many negative impacts to the town,” committee members wrote.
“Some aspects, such as maneuverability of fire apparatus, cannot be determined with the minimal information provided,” they wrote. “Further, our committee believes that the waterfront is a vital link to the town’s colonial past and a gateway to its future. It defines our identity as a Hudson River community that is a desirable place to live, work, and visit. We do not condone unnecessary access restrictions to our waterfront.” The town plans an Earth Day rally protesting the Amtrak proposal, from noon to 2 p.m. at Ernest R. Lasher Memorial Park off Anchorage Road.
Under the proposal, 125 feet of fencing would prevent vehicles from entering the access road at a boat launch, another 700 feet of fence would be erected along tracks at the nearby town park, and at the Cheviot Road there would be 245 feet of fence to the north of the crossing and a gate would be installed to prevent use of the access road to the south.
“Use of the maintenance road has, historically, promoted public well-being in many ways,” committee members wrote. “For example, we’ve heard from some who find the riverwalk uniquely accessible, such as an elderly fisherman who has to drive to his favorite spot because he is too unstable in a boat, and a young man with special needs who is sensitive to narrow trails but basks in the natural wonder of the spacious riverside. And we must note that there have been no accidents in Germantown in recent memory involving anyone using the riverside right-of-way for recreational purposes.”
National Railroad Passenger Corp. contends the project will prevent a “train
(collision) with either a vehicle or human being” without restricting authorized access points.
“This fencing initiative will be a beneficial activity as it will deter pedestrian and vehicular traffic from crossing ... where there is no advanced train warning systems and trains travel in excess of 90 MPH,” officials wrote.
However, committee members contend the fencing would inhibit legitimate access to the river at Ernest R. Lasher Memorial Park.
“Depending on exact location, the fence may block eight parking spots typically used for large vehicles and trailers,” they wrote.
Under the plan, other sites in Columbia County would include Stuyvesant, where 350 feet of fencing would be installed on the northbound tracks and 500 feet would be installed on the southbound side; and Stockport would have 350 feet of fencing on the northbound side of the railroad bridge and a gate would be placed to keep unauthorized vehicles from the access road.
In Dutchess County, affected locations would be in Tivoli, where gates would be placed to prevent access both north and south to the rail maintenance road, in Rhinebeck, where gates would be placed on Slate Dock Road near the water treatment plant, and in Rhinecliff, at the south end of the train station parking lot.
Comments are being taken on the proposal by National Railroad Passenger Corp. through May 1 and can be sent to the state Department of State, Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12231 or by email at cr @ dos.ny.gov.