Reuse aligns with Beacon plan for Fishkill Avenue
Using nearly $278,000 in federal funding, Dutchess County has hired a consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study on creating a rail trail along a 13-mile stretch of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s dormant Beacon Line from the Beacon riverfront to Hopewell Junction.
A Dutchess representative said Thursday (Sept. 21) that the study, to be conducted by Barton & Loguidice, a firm based in Syracuse, is expected to be completed in 2025. While it does not signal a commitment to build a trail, Beacon City Administrator Chris White called the study “a necessary and positive first step in adaptively reusing” the Fishkill Avenue corridor “for non-motorized transportation and recreation.”
If the project proceeds, an engineering study would follow.
With four parcels on Fishkill Avenue owned by the Healey Brothers auto dealerships on the market, the Beacon City Council has begun discussions on rezoning properties from Memorial Park to Mill Street to encourage walkable, mixed-use development.
I have dreamed of a level trail in Beacon for many years, and I am glad to hear of the new study that could lead to the construction of an extended rail trail. Beacon’s streets are generally too busy and hilly for bicycling, and the redevelopment of the long-dormant tracks would be welcome news. Maybe I will finally be able to dust off my bicycle and use it on a regular basis.
We have enough rail trails. A light rail feeding Metro-North would be a great alternative to alleviate Beacon traffic and get some economic distribution into the hamlets that used to be along that line. [via Facebook]
I wonder if funding a design competition would provide better and faster outcomes. [via Facebook]
These abandoned train tracks would be so useful for the residents of this area. It would connect to the other trails, and offer safe bicycle pathways.