Boiceville residents and patrons of the Ashokan Rail Trail got an unexpected addition to the landscape last week: a new bridge.
Construction was completed on the new crossing that replaces the existing bridge—known locally as the Five Arches Bridge—at the west end of the Ashokan Reservoir over the Esopus Creek near the intersection of Rt. 28 and Rt. 28A. The new bridge was opened to traffic on July 24.
The work, part of a $33 million project spearheaded by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, began in November 2021. It also includes three other upgrades to road and bridge infrastructure along the western-most portion of Route 28A. Boiceville, a hamlet within the Town of Olive, will also see improvements to the Boiceville Bridge Trailhead, including 10 new parking spaces and better access to the rail trail and Esopus Creek once the project is completed.
“The town is really happy to see the project ending soon,” said Jim Sofranko, Town of Olive supervisor. “The project provides nice access to the rail trail from Boiceville.” Sofranko added that he believed the upgrades, set for completion in the fall, would also “alleviate a little bit of flooding (from the Esopus Creek) in Boiceville.”
The old bridge, which Sofranko said was replaced because it was “not safe”, was built in 1913 during the original construction of the Ashokan Reservoir. It is being demolished as the rest of the project is finished. According to the NYC DEP’s website, work in the area will be completed in the fall.
Officials from the NYC DEP did not return requests for comment from The Overlook.
Jim Rich is a reporter for The Overlook. You can reach him at jim@theoverlooknews.com.