Starting April 21, outdoor enthusiasts planning to hike the popular trails of Breakneck Ridge will need to find alternate routes, as a major two-year renovation project gets underway. Not only will the Breakneck Ridge station on Metro North's Hudson Line be shuttered to undergo major upgrades, but adjacent trails will also be closed to the public. According to the New York Daily News, the renovation aims to construct a new bridge connecting the station directly to the Breakneck Trail trailhead, improving access and safety by allowing hikers to avoid walking along the shoulder of State route 9D.
During this period, access to the Breakneck Ridge and Wilkinson Memorial trailheads will be restricted. However, alternatives such as the Washburn/Cornish, Notch Trail, and Little Stony Point will remain open, the Mid-Hudson News reports. Trail stewards and state park staff will be poised to assist hikers looking up for a nature fix, orienting them toward these available paths amidst the renovations.
These comprehensive renovations include not just the bridge, but also improved parking facilities and ADA-compliant restrooms that, according to Metro-North president Justin Vonashek, will provide direct and safer passage to one of New York’s much-trekked destinations. Linda Cooper, regional director for New York State Parks, underscored the closure as an opportunity to learn about the many other hiking areas in the vicinity, in a statement obtained by Mid-Hudson News.
The upgrades, slated to enhance both environmental health and hiker safety, will tackle issues such as erosion and accessibility. Sidewalks, formalized parking, and clearer signage, aim to secure a more secure experience for those journeying on foot, and those behind the wheel. Improved access points for first responders at Breakneck Ridge, will also be implemented, which the state agency indicates, will increment safety in the area.
