Canal Corporation Invites Media to Attend Closing Ceremony for the 2009 Navigation Season

• by New York State Canal Corporation

The New York State Canal Corporation will hold a press conference on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Lock E-3 in the Town of Waterford, Saratoga County (directions below) to mark the closing of the navigation season on the New York State Canal System.

Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello will join with State and local officials and canal enthusiasts to mark the closing of the Canal System's 184th consecutive navigation season, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2009.

Members of the media, including photographers, are invited to attend.

For more information regarding this event, please call the New York State Canal Corporation at (518) 436-3055.

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.

Directions to Lock E-3: Take I-787 North to the end. Turn right onto Route 32 north over bridge into Waterford. After approximately two miles on Saratoga Avenue, cross over small bridge over Erie Canal. Take immediate left on Eighth Street. Take a left onto Washington Street. Go over railroad tracks and you will see a sign for Lock 3 about a quarter-mile down on the left. Turn left into the Lock and right into the parking lot.

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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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