Harlem Valley Rail Trail extension project breaks ground

MILLERTON — Not even an April shower could dampen high spirits as residents, local leaders, county representatives and Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) members  kicked off construction of the fourth phase of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail (HVRT) extension project with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday, April 12.

The extension project will extend the HVRT with an 8 mile segment between the village of Millerton in northeastern Dutchess County and Ancram in southeastern Columbia County. Beginning at Main Street (Route 44) in Millerton, the extension project will follow the former Harlem Valley Rail Line right-of-way in the town of North East and end at Under Mountain Road in Ancram. As a result, the extension will create a continuous trail that stretches from the Wassaic Train Station in Amenia to the Copake Falls area of Taconic State Park, totaling 23 miles.

Out of an estimated total of $14.7 million, $9.365 million of the total project costs will be federally funded. Funding for the project’s final phase was approved last October by the Dutchess County Legislature, and the project is expected to be finished by October of 2020.

At 11 a.m. on Friday morning, a crowd formed on the Village Green with representatives from the village of Millerton and the towns of North East, Amenia, Pine Plains and Ancram. 

In his opening remarks, Dutchess County Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Robert Balkind explained that it’s taken the county almost 14 years to get to the beginning of the much-anticipated construction. 

“Thank you for being here to help us celebrate the long-anticipated extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail,” said Millerton Mayor Debbie Middlebrook. “I know I am not alone in saying I’m really excited about the extension.”

North East town Supervisor George Kaye acknowledged he had some initial reservations about the project. But as construction of the final phase commences, he said that the extension will facilitate an economic boom in and around Millerton.

“With the county’s help, we look forward to extending the Rail Trail and building on what will be a very bright future,” Kaye said.

Speaking on behalf of Columbia County, Ancram town Supervisor Art Bassin thanked Dutchess County and all those involved with the extension while Dutchess County Legislator Gregg Pulver (R-19) shared his thoughts about the groundbreaking.

As chair of HVRTA, Dick Hermans expressed his sincere gratitude to former Dutchess County Legislator Harry Schroeder and former Dutchess County Executive Lucille Pattison, both of whom were instrumental in purchasing the property and turning it into a trail.

“Their vision is alive today for sure,” Hermans said.

He also took a moment to voice his thanks to Elinor Mettler, the founder and publisher of The Independent, for proposing the idea of building a rail trail that would extend from the village of Millerton into Chatham, and to Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro for being an advocate of the HVRT ever since he was elected.

“A trail, I feel, is a democratic recreational opportunity,” he said. “No fees, no charge, no litmus test to what you believe: everybody can use it and hopefully everybody will love it.”

“I am thrilled to be here and Dutchess County is thrilled to make good on a promise it made years ago,” Molinaro proclaimed.To the HVRTA, he said, “As an association and an organization, you have been steadfast, not only in seeing the Rail Trail be built, but in your protection of it.”

 Molinaro mused that rail trails are designed to preserve the sense of place that communities hold dear. Agreeing with Hermans in calling the upcoming trail section the “most spectacular section of all,” Molinaro said the extension will “weave together the heart of the community… it will marry that among the most beautiful, environmental, natural resources in the northeastern corner of the world.”

In a time where people seem to be more disconnected from one another, Molinaro said that a rail trail is meant to “remind us that we are so very connected and that we have so much to celebrate in the community that is worthy of holding us together.”