$634.8 Million Replacement of Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge Will Improve Critical Link for Rail Service Statewide
$10 Million To Remove Albany's Blighted Central Warehouse Building and Pave Way for Redevelopment
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that construction has begun on a $634.8 million project to replace the Livingston Avenue Rail Bridge, which will replace the Civil War-era passenger rail bridge spanning the Hudson River between the cities of Albany and Rensselaer; and provide a modern crossing that will improve service and reliability along New York State’s Empire Corridor and throughout the entire northeast. Governor Hochul also announced a $10 million award to demolish the Central Warehouse, a blighted building in Downtown Albany, pieces of which have fallen onto nearby rail tracks disrupting Amtrak service for thousands of New Yorkers.
“The Empire Corridor is a gateway to the U.S. economy, powering innovation and industry for businesses in New York State and beyond,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re making investments in two critical pieces of infrastructure to unlock the potential for further growth and to ensure this vital corridor will be strong for decades to come.”
Livingston Avenue Bridge Construction
A new seven-span, lift-type bridge meeting modern standards for height, width and speeds will be constructed just south of the existing bridge. It will also be wider and designed to carry heavier freight train loads, as well as two passenger trains at the same time. The structure will also be able to handle taller rail cars, allowing for more freight, and will more reliably accommodate marine traffic on the Hudson River.
The project will also create a separated shared-use path that will provide a much-needed crossing over the Hudson River for pedestrians and cyclists, providing easy connections to the Albany Skyway, the Empire State Trail, the future Rensselaer Riverwalk - a portion of which is being constructed as part of this project – and other area attractions. Replacement of the bridge is being funded as part of the historic, $33 billion, five-year New York State Department of Transportation Capital Plan and is a signature project exemplifying Governor Hochul’s commitment to investing in projects that reconnect communities, enhance quality of life and foster growth and economic opportunity for all New Yorkers.
The anticipated completion of this project is in the summer of 2028. The new bridge will be constructed alongside the existing structure before shifting train traffic to the new bridge upon its completion. The current Livingston Avenue Bridge will remain in use until that time, thus limiting disruptions before being removed.