Completed in 1888, the Poughkeepsie-Highland train bridge was then the longest bridge in the world and was considered an engineering marvel. Its 525 foot spans are the largest and heaviest trusses in the world, and 10 story underwater timber caissons were built to set the concrete foundations for the bridge. Regarded as a landmark of the Hudson Valley's industrial past, it soon became a major link in the nation's rail network and over the next 60 years supported 50 trains per day. After a spectacular fire severely damaged it in 1974, ending an era of rail transportation, the bridge remained virtually idle for about 35 years. The Walkway Over the Hudson non-profit organization was founded in 1992 to preserve the landmark railroad bridge, transform it into a linear park and trail, and provide long-term stewardship. In 1995, the organization assumed ownership of the bridge and established partnerships with federal and state government, businesses, foundations, and the community. At 6,767 feet in length, approximately 1.25 miles, the walkway is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world, with the top of the bridge deck 212 above the water and a width of 24 feet. It provides public access to the Hudson River's scenic landscape for pedestrians, bicyclists, hikers, joggers, and people with disabilities, and connects with an extensive network of rail-trails, parks, and communities on both sides of the river.