Manchester Bridge, NY (NH Maybrook Branch) - viaduct gone

I am curious to know what happen to the massive concrete viaduct that crossed over Rt. 55 (Manchester Road) in Manchester Bridge, NY. It hosted the abandoned Penn Central (nee-New Haven) Maybrook Branch just east of the Poughkeepsie bridge. I recall taking videos and photos of this massive viaduct as it crossed over Rt. 55 and a river.

Link to Google map here - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... iwloc=addr

It was removed about 8 years ago when right of way was absorbed by DOT, The viaduct had to be removed to widen Rt 55.

Gotcha. That must have been quite a job.

Does DOT still own the ROW?

yes they own from Poughkeepsie bridge to Hopewell Jct, the Right of way was gone be used for a water line with a trail on top.

The late Austin McEntee took a series of photos of the concrete removal process. It was tougher than planned and took longer than the engineers had figured.

Dutchess County owns that section of the old Maybrook Line. The rail trail construction started last year and parts have been completed. The rest is scheduled out over the next couple years. At route 55 the plan is to build a 5 section pedestrian bridge over the road and the creek.

Bernie Rudberg

I have posted some of Austin McEntee's photos on a web site. There are 23 sections in the web site. Select the section titled Poughkeepsie Bridge After the Fire and scroll down.

http://www.kinglyheirs.com/CNE/Poughkee ... rFire.html

Bernie Rudberg

On the CNE tour last year, I noticed that the PRE-viaduct bridge abutments are still in place, just 20' north of 55, over the little creek. You can also see many ruins of the pre-straightened Maybrook line all along the way SE from there.

Bernard Rudberg wrote:I have posted some of Austin McEntee's photos on a web site. There are 23 sections in the web site. Select the section titled Poughkeepsie Bridge After the Fire and scroll down.http://www.kinglyheirs.com/CNE/Poughkee ... rFire.html. Bernie Rudberg

Not the easiest site to navigate. I cannot find any pix of the viaduct being dismantled. Please advise...thanx!

The pictures are on the web site that you posted on your note. Go to that web site and scroll down toward the bottom pages. There are several photos of the demolition of the route 55 overpass.

If you still have problems, let me know.

Bernie Rudberg

Sorry, my PC at work could not display the pix. I saw them on my Mac at home. Thanx! I will have to post a video I took in 1995 walking atop of the bridge.