Officials cut ribbon on new bridge

MONTOUR FALLS---State, business and local officials were joined by schoolchildren to unveil the new Catharine Valley Bridge and plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day Friday, April 30. The new walking bridge has officially been named King's Crossing in honor of former Montour Falls Mayor John King.
"This is an honor, I have never had something named after me," said King. "It took five years of toil to get this done... and I appreciate the efforts of everyone."
Costing roughly $300,000, funding for King's Crossing came from a combination of state and local agencies. In terms of local funding, Schuyler County contributed $50,000 and the village of Montour Falls contributed $26,000. Along with the 105-foot bridge, funding also was used to finish construction of the walking path to ensure it connects with the Catharine Valley Trail.
"This is a great project that was a long time in the making... that adds to safety and attractiveness," said State Senator Tom O'Mara.
In what was a running theme of the afternoon, O'Mara praised King and his resilience in getting the bridge constructed.
"Kudos to King," O'Mara said.
Current Mayor James Ryan said he considered himself lucky to have inherited the project from King. Ryan also spoke about planting a tree for Arbor Day, saying anytime someone can plant a tree that is a good thing to do. Assemblyman Phil Palmesano attributed the successful completion of the bridge to the strong nature of public-private partnerships.
"Supporting natural resources is important, both in the present and for the future," Palmesano said.
Palmesano added he thought it was important for the state to enhance communities through projects such as the construction of the walking bridge.
Schuyler County Legislative Chairman Carl Blowers also spoke of King's tenacity and persistence in getting the project completed.
Now that the walking bridge and trail have been completed, Ryan said the idea of further developing the area for public recreation was something he would strongly consider.
"We need to concentrate on our tourism business," Ryan stated.
Also in attendance were Fred Bonn, regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Brian Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Canal Corporation. Stratton said Montour Falls is exactly the starting point of the Erie Canal system and is considered mile 0.0.
The impetus for the walking bridge came when King said he saw a group of young boys trying to enter the trail dangerously close to large trucks. Hoping to do something about it, he began the process of trying to create a walking path that would be safer.
"This will certainly help Schuyler County economically, and it may not look it, but the new trail actually connects with Clute Park," said Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development Executive Director Judy McKinney Cherry.
Multiple officials said the development of the trail is not done yet, and the next phase would involve working on the southern edge of the trail to connect it to other locations such as Horseheads.
Along with King, special mention was made of the Humane Society of Schuyler County, who donated the use of part of its land so the bridge and trail could be constructed.