Construction begins on Livingston Avenue Rail Bridge replacement

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Plans to build a new railroad bridge between Albany and Rensselaer have taken a step forward. Construction began Friday on a $600 million project to replace the Livingston Avenue Rail Bridge.

It originally opened during the Civil War and is limited by speed and weight restrictions. New York State leaders said the bridge does not meet the needs of the region.

"This has enormous impacts statewide," NYS Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. "When you talk about reliability of train service, both freight and passenger, it's historic."

The new structure will be a lift bridge, which will be able to carry heavier loads. There will also be a new shared-use path that will connect the Albany Skyway and the Empire State Trail. Construction is expected to be finished in 2028.