MILLERTON — Not even an April shower could dampen high spirits as residents, local leaders, county representatives and Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) members  kicked off construction of the fourth phase of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail (HVRT) extension project with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday, April 12.

The extension project will extend the HVRT with an 8 mile segment between the village of Millerton in northeastern Dutchess County and Ancram in southeastern Columbia County. Beginning at Main Street (Route 44) in Millerton, the extension project...