Town of Dryden Provides Update on Rail Trail Bridge Construction – Work Could Begin This Year

The Town of Dryden says they have received a key milestone towards the start of construction for the Dryden Rail Trail Bridge that’ll go over Route 13 in the town. The town says the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) recently gave the town final approval for the Town of Dryden to seek bids for construction; bids are due on May 8th. With this, the town says construction could begin this year.

“The Route 13 bridge is the linchpin of the Dryden Rail Trail,” said Dan Lamb, Dryden Deputy Supervisor. “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.”

Once the bridge is completed, Dryden says the trail will span 14 miles and connect the eastern boundary of Dryden through the Jim Schug trail and the Villages of Dryden and Freeville. The trail will also connect with Etna, Varna, and at the western boundary of Game Farm Road. The bridge will be located near the Route 366 intersection on Route 13.

So far $3 million in both state and federal grants, along with local contributions for the project, have been secured. The cost for construction of the bridge has risen from the $2.2 million estimated six years ago to now $3.9 million. The NYSDOT has provided a $1.5 million grant via the Transportation Alternatives Program back in 2019.

“The trail promises to connect three Cornell Botanic Gardens Natural Areas – Purvis Road Wetlands, Monkey Run and Upper Cascadilla – supporting benefits to physical and mental health that became more widely appreciated during the pandemic. The bridge project will also include finishing the 1.5-mile section with a stone dust surface like that used on the Black Diamond Trail, making the section from Monkey Run to Pinckney Road fully ADA compliant.”

The Town of Dryden stated in a release.