Schumer Pledges Support To New Dutchess Bike Trail

New York Senator Charles Schumer pledged his support for a new Dutchess County Bike Trail development.

Standing on Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie, Schumer pledged his support for Dutchess County’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant application. The plan would expand the Harlem Valley Bike Rail Trail which connects Dutchess and Columbia Counties.

Schumer believes the new plans will add a large amount of economic development into the area, by bringing in tourism revenue and increasing local commerce as visitors explore the area and invest in Duchess and Columbia County businesses.

“Just like the Walkway Over the Hudson, a longer Harlem Valley Rail Trail will create huge benefits for locals, tourists, and businesses. The new trail will fuse together 28 miles of trail, bringing tourists to the area and providing local residents and bicyclists with new adventures to explore the beauty of the Hudson Valley.” said Schumer. “What’s more, the new bike trail could encourage more residents to bike or walk to work, improving the environment in the process. So I will be wholeheartedly supporting the joint Dutchess County and HVRTA application for the $7.5 million in federal funding needed to make this new bike path a reality.”

Schumer was joined by Marcus J. Molinaro, Dutchess County Executive; Eoin Wrafter, Dutchess County Planning Commissioner; Dick Hermans, Chair of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail; Dan Haas, Associate Chair Harlem Valley Rail Trail.

“Dutchess County’s two rail trail initiatives have been overwhelmingly successful, providing recreational benefits for our residents and attracting visitors from all across the world,” Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro said. “The time has come to see the Harlem Valley Rail Trail reach its full potential and complete the necessary connections to have 28 continuous miles of trail from Wassaic in Dutchess County all the way to Hillsdale in Columbia County.”