During Earth Week 2025, the Hudson River Valley Greenway Announces Award of $2.2 Million in Environmental Bond Act Funds to Improve Resiliency of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail

Supports Governor Hochul's 'Get Offline, Get Outside' Initiative Promoting Mental, Physical and Social Wellness for All New Yorkers and Visitors

During Earth Week 2025, the Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG) today announced $2.2 million from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act for resilient recreational enhancements to the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail. The project will address persistent, widespread problems where stormwater runoff eroded stone dust sections of the trail and encourage more New Yorkers to get physically active and spend time outdoors.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Executive Director Andy Kitzmann said, "The Greenway welcomes Governor Hochul's investment of Bond Act funds to enhance the Empire State Trail's world-class recreational experience, support New York State's tourism industry, and enhance the vitality and quality of life in villages and towns along the trail route."

The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a New York State agency that constructed and operates the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), a 36-mile recreational "rail trail" that runs south from the town of East Greenbush, Rensselaer County, to the town of Greenport, Columbia County. The AHET follows the route of a historic trolley line that ran from 1899 to 1929 and is part of New York State's 750-mile Empire State Trail, running from New York City to Canada and Buffalo to Albany.

New York State completed construction of the AHET Trail in 2020. Most of the AHET Trail has a paved surface. However, due to funding constraints, 9.5 miles of the AHET trail in Columbia County was constructed with a stone dust surface. Over the past four years, melting snow runoff and intense rainstorms have damaged the stone dust in 25 locations. No damage has occurred on the remaining 26 miles of the AHET route that has a paved asphalt surface.

Installing an asphalt surface eliminates stone dust erosion and addresses trail safety concerns, providing improved environmental conditions and preventing costly HRVG maintenance efforts to repair damaged stone dust trail sections. The asphalt surface will also be more resilient to future damage from intense rainstorms and runoff events.

Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "Improving the Albany Hudson Electric Trail with funding from the Environmental Bond Act is just one of many recreational upgrades underway as New York continues to bolster resiliency and encourage outdoor recreation. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is making real investments in infrastructure repairs and upgrades for communities across the state, and DEC is proud to work with our State and local partners on these important projects protecting and connecting us to our environment."

Village of Kinderhook Mayor Dorene Weir said, "The Village of Kinderhook it fortunate to have the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in our community. In 2022, more than 48,000 walkers, runners, and bicyclists visited the trail here in the village. This number has undoubtedly increased, supporting our local businesses and farmers' market. We are grateful to New York State for improving this jewel through Kinderhook and other communities along the trail route."

Ronald Rich, President of the non-profit Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail said, "Since 2021, our not-for-profit volunteer based organization has maintained 18 miles of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in Columbia County. We applaud this Environmental Bond Act investment to improve the trail, which will provide important benefits by preventing erosion damage and weed encroachment while mitigating dust during dry spells."

Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York said, "For its spectacular natural beauty and inviting local hamlets, the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is one of the most popular sections of the entire 750-mile Empire State Trail. This important improvement project will ensure that the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail continues to deliver value as a regional powerhouse of tourism and economic development."

From May through June, individual sections of the AHET trail between public road crossings will be subject to daily closures as the paving project proceeds north from Greenport to Chatham. For public safety, trail users encountering "Trail Closed" signs are encouraged to visit other trail segments. Long-distance bicyclists will navigate on adjacent public roads to bypass closed trail sections.

More information about the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is available on the Empire State Trail website, including an interactive map of the trail route, designated trailhead parking areas, and nearby visitor amenities.

Today's announcement will help more New Yorkers across the state "Get Offline, Get Outside," Governor Hochul's campaign encouraging New York's kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and put their mental and physical health first. Learn more about Governor Hochul's Get Offline, Get Outside campaign.

The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a unique State-sponsored program that partners with communities and nonprofits to advance projects and initiatives that result in natural and cultural resource protection, regional and local planning, economic development, public access to the Hudson River, and heritage and environmental education.  The Greenway provides technical assistance and small grants for planning, water trail and land-based trails and other projects that reinforce the Greenway Criteria.