ALBANY — The second phase of construction has begun on a 34-mile section of an Adirondack railbed that will be transformed into a recreational pathway dotted with scenic trails, sprawling campsites and abundant waterways.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of General Services announced last month that Troy-based Rifenburg Construction was awarded an $8.75 million contract for the second phase of the Adirondack Rail Trail. The $22.9 million three-phase project will rehabilitate a portion of the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor to connect the Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake communities.
Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said the agency is “proud to have an important role in developing a recreational path that Governor (Kathy) Hochul said is destined to become one of the premier attractions in one of the most picturesque areas of our state.”
“With its scenic views and abundance of wildlife, traversing New York’s Adirondack Region can be the experience of a lifetime, and we are excited to embark on the second phase of the Adirondack Rail Trail project with our friends at the DEC,” she added.
The project includes actions outlined in the 2020 Unit Management Plan Amendment for the recreational corridor, which was transferred from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Environmental Conservation in spring 2022. The amendment provided a blueprint for sustainabily developing the 119-mile travel corridor as both a rail trail and scenic railroad to bolster tourism and improve recreation opportunities for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
The trail is closed to the public between Lake Placid and Floodwood Road, with crews continuing to work on the first phase of construction which began in November. Phase one involves Station Street in Lake Placid through the intersection of Cedar Street and Route 86 past…
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