Canal Corporation Advises of Erie Canal Closure Between Lock E-28B (Newark) and Lock E-29 (Palmyra)

ALBANY, NY (07/02/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today advised of the closure of the Erie Canal to navigation between Lock E-28B in Newark and Lock E-29 in Palmyra, beginning at 7a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009. It is anticipated that this portion of the Erie Canal will remain closed for several days.

The water level in this area of the Erie Canal will be lowered gradually by approximately five feet, beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

The Canal Corporation encourages any boaters concerned with the reduced depth to move their vessels to the east past Lock E-28B before 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

The Canal Corporation appreciates the public's patience throughout the duration of this recovery operation.

For more information regarding the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL-4.

-30-

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.