Pedestrian path on Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens with public art, scenic overlooks, & food vendors

The pedestrian-bike path on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge officially opened to the public on Monday. The 3.6-mile shared path serves as the “gateway to the Hudson Valley,” connecting Westchester and Rockland Counties, and is one of the longest of its kind in the country, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The path features six different scenic overlooks, 10 public art pieces, and three local food trucks.

“The new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is an iconic gateway to the Hudson Valley and a statewide landmark that celebrates the spirit of New York,” Cuomo said in a press release.

“The addition of this state-of-the-art bike and pedestrian path will provide New Yorkers and tourists alike with more ways to cross the river, as well as updated amenities and a unique, interactive experience to enjoy while taking in the scenic views of the Hudson River Valley.”

The 12-foot wide path stretches across the Hudson River from Westchester to Tarrytown, to South Nyack in Rockland County. It falls under the state’s Thruway Authority’s $3.9 billion replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge in 2017.

The path features separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists traveling in both directions. It takes about 80 minutes to walk and 20 minutes to bike across the path, which will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This sculpture by Ilan Averbuch honors the Native American Lenape and their history along the Hudson River.

This sculpture incorporates steel from both the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and the Tappan Zee. The piece “evokes a sense of uplift, progress and momentum,” according to artist Fitzhugh Karol.

The Thruway Authority partnered with ArtsWestchester and the Arts Council of Rockland to commission the public art pieces, which includes five sculptures (some with salvaged steel from the Tappan Zee), a 4,000-square-foot mural, and a custom-designed bike rack. Three more bike racks will be installed later this month.

Anthi’s Greek Specialities, Westchester Burger Company, and Graziella’s Italian Kitchen will set up food trucks on both landings on a rotating basis every day, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Double Barrel Roasters will be serving coffee and “scooped ices” on the Westchester side, with ice cream vendor The Blue Pig serving ice cream on the weekend, between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Teagevity will offer organic tea and cold-brewed coffee on the Rockland Landing from 9 a.m. to dusk, Thursday through Sunday. Starting today, free audio tours that focus on the history of the bridge and of the Hudson Valley area will be available for walkers and cyclists to download on their mobile devices.

In honor of the late governor’s birthday, Cuomo said the bridge will light up blue on Monday night. “And when he’s looking down, I want to make sure tonight he sees his bridge lit up blue, and I think it’ll put a smile on his face,” he said.

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All photos courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office