South Fallsburg, NY – Celebrating the culmination of decades of persistent effort, Sullivan County, the Town of Fallsburg and the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance today announced the much-anticipated opening of the Neversink Crossing.
“Walk, run, bike, take your dog along a path that was the ‘superhighway’ of its day, bringing thousands of summer visitors to the region for more than 80 years,” stated Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on the new bridge spanning the Neversink River. “It’s amazing to realize this spot will serve a similar purpose for perhaps much, much longer than the next eight decades.”
“The opening of the Neversink Bridge marks a historic milestone for our community's trail network,” agreed Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Nathan Steingart. “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 to enjoy for generations to come. This project is a testament to what we can achieve through shared vision and community collaboration.”
“As beautiful as this completed bridge is, its significance goes far beyond its physical aesthetic,” noted Assembly Member Paula Kay. “The Neversink Crossing, connecting portions of the South Fallsburg and Woodridge sections of the refurbished O&W Rail Trail, accomplishes two important goals. It promotes healthy habits by providing a safe path for individuals to walk and bike, while also highlighting the rich historical significance these very same trails played in the development of Sullivan County through the mid-20th century.”
“This project is a tremendous example of how investing in the preservation of our past can also create opportunities for future generations,” Kay added. “As the former Town Attorney for the Town of Fallsburg, I know what kind of effort it took to accomplish this lofty goal, and I’d like to commend the Town of Fallsburg, Sullivan County, and the O&W Rail Trail Alliance for their collaboration making this crossing a reality.”
About the project
Abandoned in 1957 after more than 85 years in operation, the main line of the former New York, Ontario & Western Railway (NYO&W) ran for over 50 miles through the scenic heart of Sullivan County. Buildout of the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail has been a decades-long effort, spearheaded by multiple individuals, municipal governments, and grassroots organizations, all with a common goal of connecting communities along the trail and creating an outdoor recreation destination.
Currently, there are approximately 25 miles of trail open to the public (over half of which are located in the Town of Fallsburg), but these segments are disconnected and in varying condition.
The Town of Fallsburg, in partnership with Sullivan County and the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance, collaborated on the Neversink Crossing project to design and install a prefabricated steel pedestrian bridge over the Neversink River between South Fallsburg and Woodridge, along with trail improvements designed to connect over 13 miles of trail from Mountaindale to Ferndale. The $3.4 million project was funded with $1.3 million in Federal grants, $1.2 million in State grants and a $400,000 private contribution. Sullivan County contributed $500,000 in local matching funds, and the Town of Fallsburg provided in-kind services.
The bridge itself is 12 feet wide and 180 feet long, utilizing the original stone abutments installed in the late 1800s. A boardwalk above the river’s floodplain adds another 50 feet to the western approach to the bridge. From there, approximately a mile of the old railbed has been improved for pedestrian and bicyclist access leading to the southern portal of the Fallsburgh Tunnel. Though the tunnel is closed due to dangerous interior conditions, trail users can walk right up to the entrance and peer inside the darkened remains. A mile-long bypass trail continues west and connects with a picnic spot, the Town of Fallsburg’s Dogpatch Park and a parking area.
PLEASE NOTE: The only two access points to the bridge are via the nearby trailhead (269 River Road in Woodridge) or a two-mile hike from the South Fallsburg trailhead (29 Skunk Hollow Road). Visitors are advised to stay on the trail and be aware that there is no public access to the Neversink River or the Neversink Crossing bridge via Clarion Acres Road.
