Town of Dryden Awards Bid For Rail Trail Bridge Over Route 13

The Town of Dryden has awarded the bid for the construction of the Route 13 Rail Trail Bridge over Route 13 between Route 366 and Lower Creek Road. Dryden says the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) gave the approval of the construction bid for the foot bridge that’ll serve as a key link on the Dryden Rail Trail.

The winning bid came from Hurd Development out of Endwell in the amount of $3,174,624 to build the pedestrian and bicycle bridge. Dryden says the bridge will serve walkers, runners, cyclists, equestrians, commuters, and nature enthusiasts.

Work is expected to begin this spring with completion targeted for the end of the year.

“The Route 13 bridge is the linchpin of the Dryden Rail Trail,” Dryden Deputy Supervisor Dan Lamb said. “Beyond recreation and transportation alternatives—the basis for several grants—we expect the trail to encourage smart growth, improve access to affordable housing, and attract new businesses and tourism.”

Funding will also go towards completing a 1.5 mile section of Monkey Run to Pinckney Road with a stone-dust surface similar to the Black Diamond Trail; it will also be fully ADA-compliant.

So far, the town says $2.8 million in both state and federal grants, along with local contributions, have been secured for the bridge and trail improvements. Dryden issued bonds to front the initial construction of the bridge which they say will mostly be reimbursed by the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and other grants and the town’s local match.

Once completed, the Dryden Rail Trail will extend 14.4 miles and link the town’s eastern boundary through the Jim Schug section and the Villages of Dryden and Freeville, it will then continue through Etna and Varna, reaching Game Farm Road on the western side.

The Dryden Rail Trail follows a decommissioned rail line; the line was closed in 1982. Since then, Dryden has secured easements for 42 of the 48 parcels needed for the full route. The remaining 6 easements are under negotiations with landowners.