Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge |
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The Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge, known informally as the Walden High Bridge
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| Coordinates | 41°33′40″N 74°11′41″W / 41.56111°N 74.19472°W |
| Carries | Two lanes of  NY 52 |
| Crosses | Wallkill River |
| Locale | Walden, New York |
| Maintained by | New York State Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 000000001026680 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Open spandrel concrete arch |
| Total length | 225 feet (69 m) |
| Width | 43 feet (13 m) |
| History | |
| Opened | 2005 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 10,929 |
Location of bridge within Walden.
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The Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge is a special bridge in Walden, New York. People sometimes call it the Walden High Bridge. It carries Route 52 over the Wallkill River. This bridge is very important for the village. It helps many cars cross the river every day.
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Building the Bridge: A New Design
The bridge you see today was built between 2003 and 2005. Before this, an older bridge stood in its place. That old bridge was made of steel and built in the 1920s. Over time, its foundations became very weak. Because of this, the old bridge had to be taken down completely.
How the New Bridge Was Built
While the new bridge was being built, cars on Route 52 had to use a different path. They drove down Oak Street to another bridge called the Walden Low Bridge. The new Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge has some cool new features. It has special lights and wide sidewalks. These sidewalks make it safer for people to walk or bike across.
What Kind of Bridge Is It?
The Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge is a type of bridge called an "open spandrel concrete arch bridge." This means it uses strong concrete arches to hold up the road. It is 225 feet (about 69 meters) long and 43 feet (about 13 meters) wide.
Honoring Our Heroes: The Bridge's Name
The bridge was given its special name to honor war veterans from the village. In 2004, a state law was passed to officially rename it. This was a way to remember and thank the people who served our country.
Remembering Service Members
Along the bridge, you can see decorative lampposts. From these posts, banners flutter in the wind. These banners have the names of individual residents. They also remember the service these people gave. It's a way for the community to show respect and gratitude.
Where Is the Bridge Located?
The Walden Veterans' Memorial Bridge is in Orange County, New York. It crosses the Wallkill River, which is a significant waterway in the area.
