New York State Parks Breaks Ground on New Bridges to Connect Communities Along Genesee Valley Greenway
Four New Bridges Will Improve Safety, Expand Recreation and Strengthen Connections Between Seven Communities
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks), in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, today announced the start of construction on four new bridges along the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park in Allegany County.
The $6.25 million “Genesee Valley Greenway Bridges of Allegany County” project will close critical gaps in the trail, creating approximately 22 miles of continuous Greenway and eliminating detours that currently direct trail users onto busy Route 19. The project is supported by a $5 million Transportation Alternatives Program grant and a $1.25 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
There will be construction of three new 155-foot bridges and one 20-foot bridge, as well as targeted trail resurfacing. The improvements will strengthen connections among seven communities – Portageville, Rossburg, Fillmore, Houghton, Caneadea, Oramel and Belfast – while providing safer opportunities for walking, cycling and other forms of outdoor recreation and alternative transportation.
“The Genesee Valley Greenway is more than a recreational trail, it is a connection between communities, destinations and people across Western New York,” said State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser. “These four new bridges will close critical gaps, eliminate detours onto busy Route 19 and create 22 miles of continuous trail for residents and visitors to safely explore. This project is another great example of Governor Hochul’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ initiative in action, expanding access to outdoor recreation while supporting tourism and the communities along the Greenway. We are grateful to the Department of Transportation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for their partnership and investment in the future of this important regional trail.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “New York, under Governor Hochul’s leadership, is committed to investing in transportation in communities across the state including these four bridges in Allegany County which will better connect the Genessee Valley Greenway to the surrounding community, providing a healthy, affordable and safe opportunity to walk, bike, or hike. There are literally thousands of ways for New Yorkers to ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ throughout the year and there is simply no better place to enjoy the outdoors than right here in New York State. New York State DOT is pleased to partner with New York State Parks and fund this project which will benefit the larger community for generations to come.”
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Senior Director of Parks & Trails J.J. Tighe said, “The Genesee Valley Greenway is an extraordinary regional asset in Allegany County. We’re proud to support New York State Parks, the local communities along the Greenway and all of the partners as they build on the Greenway’s strengths and create even more opportunities for residents and visitors to experience this special part of Western New York.”
Parks and Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “The Genesee Valley Greenway is a critical conduit between communities across Western New York. This exciting project will help ensure that walkers, riders, equestrians and snowmobilers are able to safely access all that Allegany County and the Genesee Valley region has to offer. We appreciate the leadership of New York State Parks and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation in making this transformative project possible.”
The bridge project builds on several years of work to strengthen the Genesee Valley Greenway in Allegany County. With support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, State Parks previously commissioned a study identifying 10 high-impact projects along the Greenway’s more than 90-mile corridor, helping establish priorities for future improvements.
The new bridges will restore connections at locations where former railroad bridges had been removed, allowing trail users to remain on the Greenway rather than detouring onto local roadways. Together with targeted resurfacing, the improvements will create a safer, more cohesive recreational corridor and expand opportunities for walking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The corridor that is now the Genesee Valley Greenway has a long history as a transportation route. It was first home to the Genesee Valley Canal and later became part of the Rochester Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. New York State acquired the corridor in the early 1990s and began developing it as a greenway, or linear open space, under the Department of Environmental Conservation.
State Parks assumed management of the Greenway in 2010 and has continued working with state, local and nonprofit partners to develop the corridor as a regional recreational and tourism asset.
Today, the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park stretches more than 90 miles from Hinsdale to Rochester, passing through Cattaraugus, Allegany, Wyoming, Livingston and Monroe counties and 16 towns. The multi-use trail provides opportunities for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing while connecting communities and recreational destinations throughout Western New York.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 86 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
