Kings Road Bridge Replacement

Spanning the active Amtrak and CSX rail corridor in the City of Schenectady, the Kings Road Bridge (CR 65) is a vital neighborhood connection for residents, commuters, and freight movement. The former three-span structure had become functionally obsolete, constrained by limited vertical clearance, structural deterioration, and inadequate pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. With federal funding secured, the City of Schenectady advanced a replacement that would modernize the crossing, improve safety, and meet railroad clearance standards with minimal disruption.

CHA delivered an efficient, resilient replacement featuring a 159-foot single-span steel multi-girder superstructure supported on integral abutments. Eliminating intermediate piers reduced long-term maintenance and simplified construction over active rail lines. The profile was raised approximately 5.5 feet to accommodate double-stacked railcars, requiring coordinated roadway realignment, retaining walls, drainage improvements, and targeted right-of-way acquisitions. Weathering steel and a monolithic concrete deck with an integral wearing surface were selected to enhance durability and lifecycle performance, resulting in a bridge designed for a 75-year service life.

A notable moment of ingenuity occurred on Thanksgiving morning, 2023, when a large hole formed in the original bridge's deck. The design team immediately developed emergency repair options, and the deck was successfully repaired that same afternoon. The team's ability to diagnose, design, and implement a repair within hours speaks to its preparedness and technical capability.

The new bridge provides two 10-foot travel lanes, widened shoulders for bicyclists, and a raised ADA-compliant sidewalk that significantly improves multimodal access. Completed in just 10 months, the project delivered a safer, future-ready crossing that strengthens mobility and community connectivity.