Jammel Cutler reports for Columbia-Greene Media that it has been seven years, but the Ferry Street Bridge in Hudson could be back in use soon. The New York State Department of Transportation has now signed off on construction on the site, with a new bridge coming to the site near the Amtrak station. Department of Public Works Superintendent Rob Perry said, “We began the design phase in 2016. Since then, the city had to submit all plans and specifications to the New York State DOT, Amtrak and CSX for design review and approval. During the same time, the city acquired right-of-way easements from New York State Parks and the Hudson Terrace and conducted environmental, historical and archaeological reviews of the existing conditions and the future structure.... We had to act as an intermediary between National Grid and Amtrak to secure utility easements necessary to relocate existing gas and electric infrastructure.... Seven years in all.” The city of Hudson has been saving money in a capital reserve account since 2014 for the bill, which is expected to fall between $4.5 million and $6 million. The State Transportation Improvement Program and Department of Transportation are also kicking in money for the project. Perry said, “It will provide access to the waterfront without onerous weight restrictions.... Before the existing bridge was closed, weight was restricted to three tons.... Which is less than the weight of one full-sized truck towing a boat. It has a utility chase that will allow us to reconnect an abandoned water main. And it will provide unrestricted access to the river and the waterfront park for generations to come.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.