Which bridge spans the hudson river

The first span to cross the Hudson between New York City and Albany, Bear could also claim to be the longest suspension bridge in the world when its ribbon was cut in , though that fame was short-lived. Today, the bridge — which has one lane of traffic each way and does not allow trucks weighing more than 10 tons — is arguably the most picturesque of the lot, as the cliffs of the Hudson Highlands, draped in trees, form a striking backdrop for its towers at a narrow S-curve in the river.

And backpack-clad hikers are a common sight: The Appalachian Trail crosses right over the bridge. The Newburgh-Beacon carries Interstate 84 over the river. As the highway grew busier, the two-lane crossing quickly got snarled with lines of cars and trucks, so a second span was added 17 years later. Senator and Secretary of State , the span is the most used of the five by a long shot.

Also making this bridge a pioneer is the fact that it had a suicide call box installed back in , which officials say has saved numerous lives. A decade ago, the three-lane bridge adopted a flexible traffic pattern: To keep things moving smoothly, heavy eastbound traffic gets two lanes during the morning rush hour, and then westbounders get two lanes after the whistle blows at 5 p.

The Kingston-Rhinecliff originally was supposed to arch from Kingston Point, where the lighthouse is, to downtown Rhinebeck, but political pressure relocated it to more rural area three miles north. Whimsically named not for a politician but a fictional character in a Washington Irving story, this bridge, which connects Columbia and Greene counties, has two distinct sections. Like the other bridges, it sits feet above the high-tide mark, to allow for the passage of tall-masted ships — although the Albany-bound tankers that rumble beneath it usually have plenty of leftover head room.

Keep a pulse on local food, art, and entertainment content when you join our Hudson Valley Magazine Newsletter. Mail Facebook Twitter. Inventory Images Contact. The suspension bridge is sometimes referenced by each of these names. To make matters even more confusing, the bridge was known as the "Fulsom Landing" bridge instead of Folsom.

Removed at some point after Near Popolopen William J. During construction one of the caissons slid and tilted from its intended location. While efforts were made to move the caisson back, it was ultimately fixed in a position that left the main span five feet short of 1,