Transformación de una antigua vía ferroviaria — parte importante del rico pasado histórico de Poughkeepsie — en una alternativa de acceso y transporte para la comunidad
Visita el Northside Line website para más información y novedades
Un nexo ferroviario vital
Con forma de espoleta, este ramal ferroviario de 2,7 millas fue construido en 1873 como nexo entre las líneas este-oeste y norte-sur que se cruzaban en Poughkeepsie. Los trenes de carga repartían materia prima a las industrias situadas a lo largo de la vía y transportaban sus productos elaborados a los mercados nacionales. También repartían carbón al nuevo Hudson River State Hospital.
Tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial, a medida que muchas industrias de la ciudad y del pueblo se trasladaron a otras partes del país, se redujo la necesidad de usar esta rama ferroviaria. En operación hasta la clausura del hospital estatal en los 1990, ha permanecido inactivo desde entonces.
A new transportation and recreation corridor opens
A new, 1.2-mile, multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists is changing the face of Poughkeepsie by offering unprecedented access between residential and commercial neighborhoods in the city and the town. This new corridor — open 24 hours a day all year long — now allows residents and visitors alike to bike and walk to work, school, local businesses, hospitals and parks.
Stretching from the new Hudson Heritage Plaza in the town, to Parker Avenue in the city, the trail serves as an important link for the city’s Northside neighborhoods where many households face economic challenges and may not have access to a vehicle. The path is lit and under 24-hour video monitoring.
Recognizing its potential to link not only disparate neighborhoods, but Marist College and the Mid Hudson Regional Hospital as well, Scenic Hudson negotiated and funded the acquisition of the former rail corridor in 2019. The following year, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to assume ownership of the corridor and to develop and maintain a new rail trail, which was named the Marcus J. Molinaro Northside Line in 2023.
Estímulo a la salud y oportunidad económica
The MJM Northside Line will continue to offer safe, convenient access between the city’s Northside and the town’s northern neighborhoods, as well as provide a car-free option to walk or bike to work, school, shops, medical facilities, and public parks. Those living directly adjacent to the trail stand to benefit the most from this new green infrastructure. With the potential to bring new people to different areas of the city, the MJM Northside Line could create economic opportunities for Poughkeepsie.
FAQs (preguntas frecuentes)
¿Quién está a cargo de este proyecto?
El condado de Dutchess lleva la dirección general del proyecto, desde diseño preliminar y permisos hasta la construcción final. El socio de proyecto Scenic Hudson hizo posible el proyecto al adquirir las antiguas vías ferroviarias. Hudson Valley Engineering Associates (HVEA) de Beacon es ingeniero de diseño del nuevo sistema de senderos y ayuda además al condado con los permisos ambientales necesarios. Susan G. Blickstein, LLC asiste a HVEA, Inc. en extensión y participación comunitaria.
What’s the route of the MJM Northside Line?
The southernmost terminus of the proposed trail begins on N. Hamilton Street in the City of Poughkeepsie and travels north. After crossing the Dutchess Rail Trail, it continues through the city’s Northside and past the Mid Hudson Regional Hospital. In the town, the trail runs through Fox Run at Fulton before ending at Hudson Heritage. Another spur of the trail begins on Fulton Street, heads southwest past Marist College, and ends near Kittredge Place, not far from the Hudson River.
¿Por dónde pasa?
The Northside Line will also link over a dozen community assets, providing a new way to access them and supporting their programs and activities. They include Morse and Warring Elementary Schools, the Family Partnership Center, Beulah Baptist Church, the Dutchess County Mental Health Campus, Walkway Over the Hudson, Fall Kill Creek, Morgan Lake, and Quiet Cove Riverfront, Pulaski, Mansion Square, and College Hill Parks.
¿Hay un cronograma de proyecto?
The first segment of the trail is now open for public use. It includes a 1.2- mile segment with a multi-use, non-motorized path for pedestrians and bicyclists from the new Hudson Heritage Plaza in the Town of Poughkeepsie to Parker Avenue (State Route 9G) in the City of Poughkeepsie. For more updates visit: https://www.dutchesscountyurbantrail.com/news-updates
How will you make sure the MJM Northside Line is safe for both pedestrians and bicyclists?
The safety of the Northside Line is a key component of the design. It will have two cross-sections: the majority will be a split-use trail — with divided zones for pedestrians and bicyclists — and the rest will be shared-use trail. Where constraints limit trail width, or when usage is expected to be lighter, a shared-use approach is proposed. There will be lighting and signage throughout the new trail network. In addition, ongoing discussions with emergency first responders who will serve the trail, and their feedback, will be crucial in drafting and implementing the project’s final design.
How are you ensuring the MJM Northside Line will meet the needs of local residents?
La participación pública es de vital importancia en el diseño y los usos futuros del sendero. La fase de diseño empezó con una encuesta en línea a la comunidad y reuniones virtuales para recibir sus aportes, comentarios que desde ya están orientando los pasos a seguir. A medida que se planifican nuevas oportunidades, se recibirán aportes y preguntas de la comunidad en urbantrailproject@dutchessny.gov.Para más detalles, visitar https://www.dutchesscountyurbantrail.com.
Will the MJM Northside Line cause rent increases? Will I have to move out of my neighborhood?
Dutchess County acknowledges the potential for gentrification and associated risk of rising property values. While this is not a residential project and we don’t have direct control over housing affordability, the county is actively working with Scenic Hudson, Hudson River Housing y la Poughkeepsie Affordable Housing Coalition a fin de implementar políticas y ofrecer recursos para combatir los aumentos drásticos en alquileres y el desplazamiento, especialmente para la población de Northside.
How will the MJM Northside Line impact local businesses?
We foresee attracting traffic to local businesses from trail users. The Northside Line is also collaborating with Northside Junction on street improvements that may include new crosswalks, landscaping, and traffic-calming measures. We also will make every effort to employ local businesses in the trail’s construction.
I’ve heard the MJM Northside Line could be turned back into a rail line at some point in the future. Is this true?
Es posible pero muy poco probable. El terreno fue anteriormente propiedad de CSX y fue adquirido mediante el proceso federal sobre banca de vías ferroviarias, que permite a una agencia ferroviaria y una de senderos colaborar en el uso de corredores fuera de servicio hasta que se necesiten de nuevo para servicio ferroviario. De los cientos de senderos en vías ferroviarias que se han creado a nivel nacional desde el inicio del programa en 1983, muy pocos han sido reactivados para uso ferroviario.
Is the MJM Northside Line open at night?
Yes, The trail features lighting and is monitored by security cameras and law enforcement patrols to enable safe, 24-hour use. It will also be plowed, as necessary, during the winter months. Other amenities include secure bike parking, bench seating and bike-repair stations.