Amsterdam Pedestrian Bridge is Topic of Open House

Three design options for the proposed Amsterdam Pedestrian Bridge will be presented at a public Open House program on Tuesday, August 31, according to the New York State Canal Corporation, the lead agency for the project.

The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 31, at Amsterdam High School, 140 Saratoga Ave. in Amsterdam. (See directions below)

The event is hosted jointly by the Canal Corporation, the New York State Thruway Authority, Congressman Paul Tonko, and the City of Amsterdam.

Members of the New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation Design Team will be available to discuss project specifics and to answer questions from the public.

The meeting is intended to gather public feedback on the proposed bridge, which will connect the south side of the City of Amsterdam with Riverlink Park and the Riverfront Center on the north side of the Mohawk River and Erie Canal.

All bridge options will feature an innovative "Park on the River" concept, where the top surface of the bridge will feature various plantings, benches, lighting and pedestrian amenities.

Construction of the bridge is expected to begin in September 2012 and be completed by June 2015. The project is currently in its preliminary engineering phase. The estimated project cost is $ 12 million.

The voter-approved 2005 New York State "Rebuild and Renew Transportation Bond Act" allocated funds specifically for the Amsterdam Pedestrian Bridge.

Other agencies involved in the planning and permitting of the project include: the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Transportation, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the City of Amsterdam.

Directions to Amsterdam High School

• From the New York State Thruway Interchange 27 (Amsterdam, Route 30):

• Turn right off the exit ramp.

• Follow Route 30 North across the river (3.0 miles) to Miami Avenue (Wal-Mart is on the corner).

• Turn right on Miami Avenue to Saratoga Avenue (0.6 miles).

• Turn left on Saratoga Avenue to school, on the left (0.1 miles).

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The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority. State legislation in 1992 transferred the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Thruway Authority. Canal operating and maintenance activities are supported by Thruway toll revenues.

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free notification service called TRANSalert to inform customers via E-mail or text messaging of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.canals.ny.gov/tas/ . To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/ .

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