Construction begins on new CSX-owned rail bridge over Hudson River

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, New York.

The new bridge will provide a modern crossing designed to improve service along the state’s Empire Corridor and throughout the entire Northeast, according to a press release issued last week by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

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 be wider and designed to carry heavier freight-train loads, as well as two passenger trains at the same time. The structure will be able to handle taller rail cars, allowing for more freight, and will more reliably accommodate marine traffic on the Hudson River, state officials said.

Additionally, the project will create a separate shared-use path that will provide a pedestrian and bicycle crossing over the river. The path will provide 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.

Owned by CSX and leased to Amtrak, the original bridge is nearing the end of its serviceable life and does not meet current standards related to load, speed and height clearance. As a result, passenger and freight trains operating over the bridge must abide by weight and speed restrictions.

The bridge replacement is being funded by a $33 billion, five-year New York State Department of Transportation Capital Plan. Hochul also announced a $10 million award to Albany County to demolish a blighted warehouse building in downtown Albany. Pieces of the structure have fallen onto nearby rail tracks and disrupted Amtrak service.