Canal Corporation Announces Construction Ready to Begin on Canalway Trail Rehabilitation In Schenectady County

ALBANY, NY (03/03/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today announced that work will soon begin to rehabilitate a four-mile Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike Trail/Erie Canalway Trail segment in Schenectady County. The trail route between Washington Avenue in the City of Schenectady and Route 146 in Niskayuna links to other existing Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike Trail/Erie Canalway Trail segments, creating a 35-mile bike and hike path along the Mohawk River/Erie Canal and Hudson River, between Albany and Rotterdam Junction.

The four-mile Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail segment is part of the planned statewide Erie Canalway Trail linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. More than three-quarters of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail is now complete. The $1.2 million project is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 administered by the New York State Department of Transportation.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "As a result of the stimulus funds, this Canalway Trail in Schenectady will be improved with additional amenities, helping to improve the local economy. The Canalway Trail links communities across upstate New York and provides recreational opportunities and economic benefits to the people of this state."

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said, "This project will not only make for a smoother ride along the trail, but it will make it easier for visitors to navigate along the trail. The Erie Canalway Trail has a variety of recreational opportunities and provides a boost to tourism and economic development along the entire Canal System. This project would not be possible without the partnerships forged between the Canal Corporation and numerous organizations, including Federal, State and local governments."

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash said, "The Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike trail is an immensely popular recreational resource I am grateful to the Canal Corporation for working to keep the trail in shape for continued outdoor adventures."

Susan Savage, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature, said, "The Bike-Hike Trail is a great asset to our community and is used by people from throughout the County and the region. We want to thank the Canal Corporation for this investment in the trail system and for bringing us closer to our goal of connecting the entire trail system."

Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, "The bike trail is a great asset for Schenectady. We welcome this investment of federal stimulus dollars and the cooperation of the Canal Corporation in getting this trail project underway."

The project includes drainage improvements, milling of the existing asphalt surface and construction of a new 10-foot wide asphalt trail between Jay Street and Route 146. Directional and information signs will also be installed to better help trail users navigate the on-street portion of the trail route in the City of Schenectady between Jay Street and Washington Avenue.

Trail users are advised that portions of the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail/Erie Canalway Trail between Jay Street and Route 146 area will be closed during the course of the project to facilitate construction. Parallel roadways can be used to link trail segments that are open for use. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by late October/early November 2010.

Partners in the project include the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Schenectady County, the City of Schenectady and the Town of Niskayuna.

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

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture. For more information regarding the Canal System and the Canalway Trail, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL-4.

The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority). Since 1992, following State legislation transferring the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Authority, Canal operating and maintenance activities have been supported by Thruway toll revenue.

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/.

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