Rip Van Winkle Bridge

The Rip Van Winkle Bridge connects the communities of Catskill and Hudson.  After the Mid Hudson Bridge and the Bear Mountain Bridge, it is the third oldest bridge that crosses the Hudson south of Albany.  Not surprisingly, it carries the least amount of traffic.

Built during the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt originally vetoed plans to build while governor of New York.  Through his suggestion, the New York State Bridge Authority was created to issue bonds and provide repayment through the collection of tolls.

Though a cantilever bridge, it's one of the better looking bridges (suspension bridges are the most beautiful) over the Hudson.  This probably also has to do with its location.  Olana rises above the bridge on its eastern end.  If heading west, some great views of the Catskills can be seen from the bridge.  The rip Van Winkle crosses over one of the larger islands in the Hudson.