There would have to be serious changes to the infrastructure of the park itself to allow for trails etc. They have officially refused it for various reasons, one being funding especially in the long term. Norfolk-Southern, due to legal and insurance issues, did not want a walk way on the new bridge.Įven though there is a Bill in the Senate the Parks Department is on record saying it does not want the old bridge as a ped walkway.

Let your voice be heard and tell your elected officials that this is important for National History and important for the people of Western NY State. Let us use this national traction to get this project moving. Letchworth State Park just got voted the best state park in the USA by USA TODAY. Dismantling of the old bridge will cost about as much as preserving it. Norfolk Southern has already agreed to give the bridge to the park. An engineering study has already been done by the same firm that did the Poughkeepsie NY bridge (Bergmann Associates).Īlso, the cost of inspection and maintenance will not be as much as Norfolk Southern pays yearly considering that the yearly weight of tourists pales in comparison to weight of 5-10 freight trains crossing in a 24 hour period - one train weighs about 10,000 tons.Ī fund could also be set up to help Letchworth State Park pay for the routine inspections. In terms of cost I believe that the 71 million dollar price tag should include the approximately 2 million dollars to turn the existing bridge into a safe pedestrian walkway - considering that a considerable chunk of that 71 million will come from public monies. (Just about everyone who has visited this part of the park has trespassed on the current bridge). Using the old span as a walkway will keep people off of the new arch bridge. The view to the north is truly awesome, some 240 feet over the Genesee River on top of an 80 foot water fall replete with a rainbow on sunny days surrounded by the natural beauty of this location.Īs you look farther north you can see the river drop down another set of falls and curve to the west under 500 foot cliffs. I say the view is not OF the bridge(s) but ON the bridge.

Opponents cite that the two bridges will not compliment each other and the view upstream to the south will be compromised and the cost of maintenance will be too much for Letchworth State Park to pay for. The Genesee Canal ran under it veterans of the Civil War helped construct it the bridge replaced the biggest wood trestle ever built (based on board feet) just to name a few interesting facts. The current Letchworth bridge is steeped in history. During that time efforts will be made to turn the original bridge into a pedestrian walkway similar to the hugely successful Poughkeepsie NY bridge crossing the Hudson River and gorge-now a New York State Park… The new bridge will take approximately 3 years to complete. Letchworth Bridge in southern Letchworth State Park celebrates its 141st birthday this year (built 1875) and will be replaced by a new steel arch bridge about 75 feet to the south. The following is a guest post submitted by Richard H. The End of the Line - Rochesters Subway (DVD)

Genesee arch bridge