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Audio Feature: Hudson River stories
Mar 24, 2018 10:55 am
Here are some stories from the Hudson River this week. Click here to hear an audio version of this report. (4:54)
• The Stevens Institute reports temperatures this week in the Hudson River at Schodack Island were between 35 and 39 degrees, slightly warmer than last week.
• The Associated Press reports in The Daily Freeman that Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the Hudson River SkyWalk on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge linking Greene and Columbia counties, is finished. Three viewpoints, 50 feet long by 10 feet wide, are now open on the mile-long sidewalk on the bridge. Eventually, there will be a pedestrian trail between the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill and the Olana State Historic Site in Greenport. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.
• Debby Mayer is reporting for The Columbia Paper Amtrak has proposed a fencing project along its right of way at the Hudson River, from Rhinebeck to Stuyvesant. The railroad has cited safety concerns as the reason for the fence. Germantown is concerned the plan will block access for recreation, fishing and fire protection and rescue. The town's Local Waterfront Study Committee made a statement on the Amtrak proposal during the Germantown Town Board meeting March 13. Kaare Christian, a waterfront committee member, explained that Amtrak wants to fence off a four-mile stretch between Lasher Park to the north, and Cheviot Park to the south, constructing a gate at either end. The 50- to 100-foot-wide space connects the two parks, and has historically been used by fishers, walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers and families that simply want an outing, he said. “It’s a real gem of an area, not crowded, but it is used.” Similar past proposals have failed, one as recently as 1991. The public comment period on the Amtrak proposal began on March 14, making comments due March 29. Supervisor Robert Beaury said he would ask the town board for permission to ask Amtrak for an extension of the comment period. “This seems to be moving very fast,” he said. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.
• Michael Scotto reports at NY1 that the government spending plan that passed the House and Senate March 22 includes money for the Gateway Tunnel, a large project that would create additional way for trains under the Hudson River from New York City to New Jersey. President Donald Trump had opposed the project, with speculation that his reason was a feud with Senator Chuck Schumer. Amtrak trains had been fighting a bottleneck, but $540 million in the bill will begin work on a new tunnel to ease the entry and exit to and from New York City. The omnibus spending bill also included language that requires the Coast Guard to consult relevant Congressional committees before proceeding with any plans to install anchorages for large barges in the Hudson River. Read the full story at NY1.
• The Stevens Institute reports temperatures this week in the Hudson River at Schodack Island were between 35 and 39 degrees, slightly warmer than last week.
• The Associated Press reports in The Daily Freeman that Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the Hudson River SkyWalk on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge linking Greene and Columbia counties, is finished. Three viewpoints, 50 feet long by 10 feet wide, are now open on the mile-long sidewalk on the bridge. Eventually, there will be a pedestrian trail between the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill and the Olana State Historic Site in Greenport. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.
• Debby Mayer is reporting for The Columbia Paper Amtrak has proposed a fencing project along its right of way at the Hudson River, from Rhinebeck to Stuyvesant. The railroad has cited safety concerns as the reason for the fence. Germantown is concerned the plan will block access for recreation, fishing and fire protection and rescue. The town's Local Waterfront Study Committee made a statement on the Amtrak proposal during the Germantown Town Board meeting March 13. Kaare Christian, a waterfront committee member, explained that Amtrak wants to fence off a four-mile stretch between Lasher Park to the north, and Cheviot Park to the south, constructing a gate at either end. The 50- to 100-foot-wide space connects the two parks, and has historically been used by fishers, walkers, cyclists, cross-country skiers and families that simply want an outing, he said. “It’s a real gem of an area, not crowded, but it is used.” Similar past proposals have failed, one as recently as 1991. The public comment period on the Amtrak proposal began on March 14, making comments due March 29. Supervisor Robert Beaury said he would ask the town board for permission to ask Amtrak for an extension of the comment period. “This seems to be moving very fast,” he said. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.
• Michael Scotto reports at NY1 that the government spending plan that passed the House and Senate March 22 includes money for the Gateway Tunnel, a large project that would create additional way for trains under the Hudson River from New York City to New Jersey. President Donald Trump had opposed the project, with speculation that his reason was a feud with Senator Chuck Schumer. Amtrak trains had been fighting a bottleneck, but $540 million in the bill will begin work on a new tunnel to ease the entry and exit to and from New York City. The omnibus spending bill also included language that requires the Coast Guard to consult relevant Congressional committees before proceeding with any plans to install anchorages for large barges in the Hudson River. Read the full story at NY1.