SOUTH FALLSBURG- After decades of planning and work, a new pedestrian bridge over the Neversink River is now open, reconnecting sections of the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail between South Fallsburg and Woodridge.
County and town officials, along with the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance, celebrated the opening of the 180-foot Neversink Crossing with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 12-foot-wide steel bridge was built using the original stone railroad abutments dating to the late 1800s. A 50-foot boardwalk and improvements to about a mile of trail on the western approach are also part of the project.
The $3.4 million effort was funded with federal and state grants, a private contribution and local matching funds from Sullivan County. The Town of Fallsburg provided in-kind services.
“This is a historic milestone for our community’s trail network,” Fallsburg Supervisor Nathan Steingart said. “By restoring this critical link, we are not only preserving our rich regional history but also creating a safe, scenic, and accessible pathway for residents and visitors.”
The new crossing is part of a larger effort to connect the former New York, Ontario & Western Railway corridor. About 25 miles of the former rail line are currently open as trail, though some sections remain disconnected.
The O&W operated for more than 85 years before being abandoned in 1957. Its main line once carried thousands of visitors into Sullivan County.
From the new bridge, trail users can travel toward the southern entrance of the Fallsburgh Tunnel, although the tunnel remains closed because of unsafe conditions. A bypass trail leads to a picnic area, Dogpatch Park and a parking area.
Assemblywoman Paula Kay called the project an example of how preserving the region’s history can create new recreational opportunities.
County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz said the trail could serve the community for generations, much as the railroad once did.
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