Rip Van Winkle Bridge Tollbooths, Catskill, New York

This week’s Wrecking Wednesday features the demolition of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge tollbooths in Catskill, NY.  The bridge, which spans the Hudson River, had tollbooths at each end of the bridge. Sessler Wrecking crews set up work zones the night of Wednesday, November 3, and within hours had both structures demolished.

Sessler Wrecking crews used alternating lane control to maintain traffic during demolition. Crews began by removing the roofs over lanes 1 and 3 first, and then the middle section over lane 2. Once the roofs were removed, the tollbooth structures were then demolished.

By the night of November 4, Sessler Wrecking had both work sites completely cleaned and reopened. All work was performed in a safe and timely manner. The Rip Van Winkle tollbooths removal was part of New York State’s ongoing cashless tolling plan for the five bridges operated by the New York State Bridge Authority.

Hudson Valley 360: Historic tollbooths fall to progress