Reinventing Infrastructure In Ulster County – Ahead Of Schedule - Safer Passage, Improved Sustainability, Enhanced LED Lit Sidewalk, Greater Views

New Paltz, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein was joined by Angela Liberta, Wife of the late Carmine Liberta, the County Executive’s Bridge Advisory Committee, local officials, business owners, and members of the community to announce the opening of the new Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge which spans the Wallkill River at the end of Main Street in New Paltz. The previous metal grid work style bridge has been replaced with a “Pony Arch” bridge allowing for motorists, bikers and pedestrians to access the iconic view of the Shawangunk Mountains and the Mohonk Watchtower.   The new bridge includes an enhanced sidewalk and wider shoulders on both sides of the bridge.  It is designed to withstand the pressure of  weather events and includes LED lights to light the bridge and handrails at night for safer travel.  The County Executive consulted the community in designing the bridge, and the County Executive’s Bridge Advisory Committee was formed to work closely with County Engineers.  Before beginning construction on the new bridge a temporary bridge was installed in order to avoid disrupting traffic and negatively impacting local businesses, residents and visitors.  The Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge was completed as part of County Executive Hein’s “Building a Better Ulster County” initiative which includes an unprecedented $46 million investment in infrastructure over a 3 year period.

Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive

“The new Carmine Liberta Bridge is the `People’s Bridge´ as it was designed by the people for the people,” said County Executive Mike Hein.  “This is true democracy at work and I appreciate all of the efforts of the Bridge Advisory Committee, local business owners, the community, as well as our amazing Department of Public Works.  I also want to thank the entire Legislature and its leadership for its partnership in ensuring funding for the best possible project.  In addition to an expanded LED lit sidewalk, wider shoulders, improved sustainability, enhanced views of the beautiful mountains, and greater connection to local trail systems, this Bridge is simply stronger and better prepared to handle future traffic needs and major weather events.  We plan to complete an `Overlook´ area near the bridge in the next 45 days so residents and visitors alike can enjoy the iconic views of the Shawangunk Mountains and the Mohonk Watchtower.  We are creating a vibrant waterfront in the heart of New Paltz thanks to the partnerships with local businesses, the Town of New Paltz, Village of New Paltz and the community.  Additionally, there are now 3-4 foot shoulders all the way to Butterville Road, as well as a planned direct link from the west side of the bridge to the Mohonk Preserve and Open Space Institute River-to-Ridge Trail.  I am pleased that the Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge will continue to honor this local decorated Korean War Veteran, Carmine Liberta, and I hope this entire new process can serve as a model in the future.” 

Angela Liberta, Wife of Decorated Korean War Veteran Carmine Liberta

“I want to thank County Executive and the Department of Public Works for all of their hard work on this wonderful new bridge,” said Angela Liberta.  “It is a fitting tribute to Carmine and will ensure his legacy will continue for many years to come.

James Delaune, Ulster County Legislator

“I'm quite pleased that the newly-constructed bridge provides ample room for multiple bikers, walkers and runners to safely cross the Wallkill River and provides a much better view of the Shawangunk Ridge, said Ulster County Legislator James Delaune. “ I have to give credit to County Executive Hein and his team for completing this very complex project ahead of schedule and with minimal disruption to the residents of New Paltz.”

Hector Rodriguez, Ulster County Legislator

“This is a great example of how local government can partner with the community,” said Hector Rodriguez, Minority Leader and Ulster County Legislator.  “County Executive Hein realized the importance of limiting the amount of disruption to the residents and business owners of New Paltz during the construction of the bridge.  It is a great addition to New Paltz and the bridge seamlessly blends into the beautiful landscape and highlights the scenic views of the Shawangunk Mountains.”

Tim Rogers, Mayor, Village of New Paltz

“I am so pleased with the outcome of the new Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge,” said Tim Rogers, Mayor of the Village of New Paltz.  “I really appreciate County Executive Hein asking the community for their input on its design.  Now, each time we cross the bridge we can be proud of the work we did as a community to make this such an integral part of our infrastructure.”

Neil Bettez, Town of New Paltz Supervisor

“County Executive Hein’s infrastructure investment in upgrading the Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge and increasing pedestrian and bicyclist safety with wider sidewalks and shoulders is commendable,” said Neil Bettez, Town of New Paltz Supervisor.  “This was truly a collaborative effort with the community which accomplished a bridge design that will benefit our residents as well as visitors to the area for many years to come. I am glad we were able to participate in the County’s infrastructure improvement.”

Susan Plonski, Commissioner, Department of Public Works

Under County Executive Hein’s “Building a Better Ulster County” initiative and his unprecedented investment in infrastructure, we were able to collaborate with the community to design a modern bridge for the Town and Village of New Paltz.  The new Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge includes an enhanced LED lit sidewalk and wider shoulders, taking into account the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.  This bridge was constructed to withstand potential weather-related events while opening up the view of the surrounding scenery.   I would like to thank the men and women in the Department of Public Works who worked so hard to complete this project in a timely manner. 

Kathy Prizzia, New Paltz Chamber Executive Director

“We are thrilled to see the new Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge open ahead of schedule,” said Kathy Prizzia, Executive Director of the New Paltz Chamber of Commerce. “This bridge is a vital connection for the businesses in New Paltz as well as the thousands of tourists that visit our area. I want to thank County Executive Hein for ensuring that the entire process has gone smoothly and quickly, with minimal impact to our businesses and our community.”

Rich Gottlieb, owner of Rock & Snow

"The County Executive continues to be the knight in shining armor for New Paltz," said Rich Gottlieb, owner of Rock & Snow.  "This attractive and greatly improved new bridge will go a long way toward helping the community of New Paltz offer the best, friendliest, and most livable community in the Hudson Valley." 

Melanie Cronin, owner of Cronin Contemporary/Member of Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board

"As a business owner at the Water Street Market, I totally appreciate how well coordinated the entire bridge project was, so that it did not affect our business at all,” said Melanie Cronin, owner of Cronin Contemporary and a member of the Ulster County Tourism Advisory Board.  She continued, "As a community member who commutes across the bridge at least twice a day, I love the open air design of the new bridge and I really look forward to enjoying the unobstructed view of the ridge from now on."

The Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge was named in 2008 for Carmine Liberta, a New Paltz Native, a decorated Korean War Veteran, and Veterans affairs activist.  The new “Pony Arch” bridge features rustic weathered steel allowing it to blend into its surroundings.  It now includes an enhanced LED lit sidewalk and wider shoulders for safer passage by pedestrians and bicyclists.  Through the “Building A Better Ulster County” initiative, the county has spent over $30 million this year and last year to overhaul its infrastructure and has committed another $15 million in the proposed 2017 Executive Budget. 

Photos of ribbon cutting at Carmine Liberta Memorial Bridge – County Executive Mike Hein is joined by Angela Liberta, elected officials, local business owners, members of the community and workers from Ulster County’s Department of Public Works