There's something about the Mid-Hudson Bridge that stands out, and it's the structure, design, and also the LED lights at night. It's well supported and every time we've driven across it, we've never had any issues. The bridge only contains three lanes, and the middle lane is only served during rush hour in the morning (east) and in the late afternoon until the evening (west). During this time, a lot of traffic will occur especially when merging together from each side. Dealing with this procedure on a regular basis will eventually build in, and get the hang of it. The Ez-Pass is fully electronic now which will move things quicker when approaching eastbound. To end, there is a walkway on the side that's part of the Walkway Loop Trail. A great bridge with a lot of history and useful details. read more

Everybody has their version of a "happy place." For me, that "happy place" has always been the Hudson Valley. When I was a kid, my parents took regular trips up to the FDR homestead in Hyde Park (my late mother was a staunch Republican, but she was a big admirer of Eleanor Roosevelt), the Vanderbilt Mansion (as a kid, I used to think I'd like to live in just such a grand palace someday, with its breathtaking views of the Hudson River below and the mountainous landscapes beyond...well, maybe in another life!), West Point, and an antiques fair every October in Salisbury, CT. Even as a restless kid with a short attention span, I loved our car rides up there and thought of the region as the epitome of nature's majestic grandeur and calming, historic beauty-- as far as I'm concerned, if God does exist, he exists in the Hudson Valley (although the residents of the City of Poughkeepsie or the City of Newburgh might tend to disagree with me). When I was in grade school, we were close enough geographically to the area to enable our class to take field trips upstate, and we always came across this bridge. I never paid much attention to how we got to the bridge, but I remember vividly the slanting, sloping ride down from the tolls to the bridge itself. Years later, exploring the area as an adult, unsure of where I was going, I stumbled onto the Rt 9W entrance to the bridge, and was delighted at the old memories it immediately brought to mind. Taking that ride down from the tolls to the actual bridge as an adult brought back memories in the same way that listening to "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" on the radio does. Talk about time machines! Its 1930 opening was attended by then-Governor, soon-to-be President Franklin Roosevelt (probably my favorite President, with apologies to Abe Lincoln, although I have to say I've just finished a biography on Ulysses Grant by Ron Chernow...which I highly recommend...that upped my admiration for that particular White House occupant appreciably...but again I digress...), and Eleanor, who cut the ribbon on the west side of the bridge (the wife of former Governor Al Smith...who lost his bid for the Presidency because of his Catholicism...cut the ribbon on the east side). It's probably wise to keep your attention focused on the road once you're on the bridge itself, but I've always been unable to keep from sneaking glances over at the glittering Hudson below, the train tracks snaking along beside it, the trees and foliage beyond (I used to take photographs at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery on the east bank of the river, but you really can't see it from the bridge, even though you can clearly see the bridge from the cemetery). Reviewer Ruth H. of Milton mentions that caution is necessary if you take the exit off the bridge for Rt. 9 South, and I couldn't agree more. It's the only unpleasant aspect of the passage from Ulster to Dutchess County. If you take the exit at a time of day (or night) when traffic is relatively light (or your car has great acceleration), it's not especially dangerous. At other times, though...it's dangerous. Stress inducing, at the very least. Vehicles speeding south from the north will come bearing down on you with potentially disastrous results. She suggests continuing on to Market St., making a right, and following that route to a safer Rt. 9 exit. I've never gone that way, but I will the next time I find myself making a journey in the area. You can also go straight when you pass over the bridge, drive through the depressing urban blight of the City of Poughkeepsie (my apologies to the residents there, but that's how it struck me), and eventually enter the pastoral allure and spiritually restorative tranquility of Dutchess County's countryside-- i.e., my "Happy Place." Not just a bridge, for me...but memories. Good ones. read more

A nice bridge!! We drive over it frequently and it is a pretty view. I will say the lanes are a little small but it is a bridge so that is to be expected. Be mindful, however, of when you drive it because traffic dies build up a lot! Once we were waiting over 30 minutes near the bridge entrance just to cross! Rush hour is a definite bad time to travel on it. Avoid if you can! At lease the view is nice. There is a small toll to cross this bridge. The bridge is also not far from the "walkway over the hudson" which many like to do. Nice bridge to check out overall! read more

This may look like just another bridge that crosses the Hudson, but it has a little secret. If you cross on the pedestrian section of the bridge, there's an art exhibit: Bridge Music. Here, you can listen to a series of recordings composed by Joseph Bertolozzi. That in and of itself makes crossing this bridge on foot worthwhile at least once. You can make it a loop along with the Walk over the Hudson nearby. It's a pretty but unremarkable bridge otherwise, with a $1.50 toll. read more

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Here I go reviewing a bridge again. Driving across it is a little nerve-rattling, but if you follow the signs and stay in your lane, you should be fine. I believe there was a toll on one end of it, so be prepared to have cash on hand or that fancy EZPass thing. I gave out so much toll money on this trip, I can't remember specifically, but I think it was less than $2. At night though, this bridge lights up and is beautiful from a distance, especially when it reflects on the river below. read more

Walked across this as part of the Walkway loop... it's obviously not as nice as the actual Walkway, what with all the cars whizzing by, but you do still get a nice view at least on one side. The highlight was the bridge music, a "sound art installation" by Joseph Bertolozzi. There are 2 places where you can read more about it and have 12(!) buttons you can push to play various pieces of music. They made for a very fun mid-bridge dance party. Don't go out of your way to walk over this, but if you're around why not. read more

Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge - Starting point to walk across! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Highland, New York

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I might not still feel internally that I'm the fully-impressed visitor that I should be, but then again, that's just my way of seeing things here. But on my recent visit, I really took in the grandeur of some of the things I mentioned in previous reviews when I went across it (this past weekend). And although what made me super-surprised was that they are now using all of the possible land space they have here to their full extent, knowledge of this bridge made things seem a lot better too. Things seemed to flow easily and things just got off on the "right foot" (no pun intended). Even without an E-Z Pass box now (because it broke in May and I haven't been able to call to have a new one sent out), the transaction there seemed simple and easy. I loved the communication I got. Out of all the times when I haven't even gotten a simple "thank you" at a bridge collection site, the man I encountered even thanked me. read more

Nice little bridge with a great view. The toll collectors are nice but occasionally get annoying. I spend about $40 a month crossing this bridge for work and the one time i forget to stop by the atm, they make me pull over and walk inside and run my card for $1.50. Wasting almost 20 mins of my time. I cross that bridge everyday and would gladly pay 2 tolls the next day but whatever god forbid they didnt get my buck fifty. During rush hour merging onto the bridge becomes a battle. People rushing to the front of the line to cut everyone off. Speeders beware, there is ALWAYS a trooper hiding somewhere aggressively waiting to ticket you. Iv been crossing this bridge almost everyday for the last 3 years and i cant remember the last time there wasn't a trooper hiding somewhere read more

Very nice bridge (especially at night). The structural designs are beautiful and is worth the $1.50 toll (one way only). However, the views of the Hudson are somewhat obstructed due to the guard rails. The nighttime lights probably make the most of it. It's well worth the toll and will continue to use this when traveling to Poughkeepsie. read more

I've never had any problems driving across this bridge. Where the real problems begin are the exits onto Rt. 9 immediately after. Here's a handy tip: If you're intending on going south on Rt. 9 off of the bridge, don't use the exit right off the bridge. Go up to Market Street, hang a right, and follow that until it exits onto Rt. 9. A much easier and less stressful way to get to where you need to go. read more