Work started Monday on replacing the 126-year-old Sentry Bridge at the entranceway to Watkins Glen State Park. According to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, a new sustainable span will be built to last through the next century.
A recent study found that a full replacement of the Bridge is needed to address unstable rock conditions. The current footbridge was made of concrete with stone veneer cladding. The new, lightweight bridge reinterprets the historic arch with a contemporary half-arch made of durable stainless steel. It will tie in the natural landscape with state-of-the-art materials. The bridge will now rely on the stronger rock of the gorge’s north side for support. The bridge is expected to reopen before the Fourth of July in 2026.
“When coming to Watkins Glen, we want visitors to have the full park experience so they can enjoy nature’s beauty,” said State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. “For more than a century, park goers have crossed the Sentry Bridge, taken a deep breath, and gone on to explore the park. This new bridge will blend the natural landscape and keep the gorge as the focal point, making the next century just as memorable.”
During construction, the Gorge Trail and 15 waterfalls will be accessible from the North Rim Trail starting at the Main Entrance. Throughout the project, shuttle service will be available, the park’s pool will remain open, and the gift shop and north entrance concession will also be open to the public.
Watkins Glen State Park is the most popular of the Finger Lakes State Parks, welcoming 1.2 million annual visitors. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
