ROTTERDAM — A bumpy stretch of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail in Rotterdam Junction will be repaved this summer.
The 1.65 miles targeted between Mabie Lane and Leggiero Lane contains some of the newest and some of the oldest pavement on the path in the area.
The longstanding roadblock on the path — railroad tracks atop an embankment — was breached with a new tunnel as part of an $8 million project that closed a few other gaps, as well.
Now, sections of the pre-existing path where tree roots are pushing up through the pavement will be dug out. A new sub-base and root barrier will be installed and all new pavement laid atop it. On other sections, a new top layer will be set atop the existing pavement.
The work is budgeted at $190,000, all but $9,500 of which will be covered with state and federal highway aid. It will be done in sections later this summer, with signage to alert users about the work.
This stretch of the bike-hike trail is part of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail, which is part of the 750-mile Empire State Trail.
The repaving is the final piece of planned upgrades to the 21 miles of the bike-hike trail in Schenectady County, stretching from the Colonie-Niskayuna border to the Rotterdam-Florida town line.
“The Empire State Trail is a great recreational asset for our families, residents and visitors,” Schenectady County Legislature Chairman Anthony Jasenski said in a prepared statement. “We’re so excited these upgrades to the Rotterdam Junction section of the trail will be finished this summer, with every effort made to minimize trail disruptions.”
Categories: -News-, Rotterdam, Schenectady County
