Bonding OK’d for rail trail work

Lawmakers approve $1.72M for construction of mile-long stretch to be part of proposed Empire State Trail system

The Common Council has approved $1.72 million in bonding to pay for construction of a mile-long section of rail trail running from Jansen Avenue to Garraghan Drive.

Authorization was given in a 7-0 vote Wednesday, with Alderman William Carey, D-Ward 5, and Tony Davis, D-Ward 6, absent.

“It’s pre-existing infrastructure,” said Patrick O’Reilly D-Ward 7. “It’s a nice slope all the way down to the waterfront area. It’s going to make a wonderful trail that people can access and ... will be part of a much bigger trail called the Empire State Trail system.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed the Empire State Trail as part of budget plans in January 2017, saying he hoped to create a 750-mile system that connects existing and locally planned trails from New York City to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo.

Cuomo’s plan would create 350 miles of new trails, with the most of the additional local system to focus on the eastern side of the Hudson River, It is proposed to cross into Ulster County at the Walkway Over the Hudson and run through Ulster County on existing or already planned trails into the town of Ulster and then cross back into Dutchess County using the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, where a pedestrian walk-

way is in the planning stage.

The bonding comes as officials last week learned that bids came in $399,992 higher than the cost estimates that were expected to be covered by state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

grants.

“We’re about $400,000 short that the city must come up with,” said Alderman Douglas Koop, DWard 2. “The reason we’re asking for the $1.7 million ... is that these grants are reimbursable (after) we pay contractors and so forth.”

Saugerties firm Merritt Construction was the lowest of six bidders for work on the first phase at $1.59

million. Official are also adding another $130,000 to cover contingency expenses.

Council members also approved a resolution authorizing the city to become responsible for maintenance of the former railway bridge that will carry the trail over U.S. Route 9W.

Alderwoman Rita Worthington, D-Ward 4, at

a caucus earlier in the week was among lawmakers who questioned whether it was misleading for the resolution to say there was no financial impact to maintain that bridge.

“If we accept it, we’re going ahead and authorizing the maintenance of it despite not knowing what it’s going to cost to maintain it,” she said.

Efforts to begin the project,

which includes paving a 10-foot wide section of the former rail bed, are being spearheaded by Kingston Land Trust. Andi TurcoLevin, a land trust member and former alderwoman, said the trail is expected to be an economic boost for the city and help people

“It will be beneficial to our residents and our visitors on so many levels,” she said.

Resident Shaniqua Bowden, also a Kingston land Trust member, added that the rail trail will provide a recreation opportunity.

“The construction of this rail trail will be a blueprint for a healthier society, it will reduce pollution by providing a non-motorized transportation option, as well as ... provide an exercise route,” she said.