Construction Has Begun on Canalway Trail Rehabilitation Project from Canastota to Rome

The New York State Canal Corporation today announced that work has begun to rehabilitate a 20-mile Erie Canalway Trail segment in Madison and Oneida Counties. The trail between State Route 13/ Peterboro Street in Canastota and Fort Bull Road/ Erie Canal Village in Rome links to an existing Erie Canalway Trail segment between Dewitt and Canastota, creating a 38-mile bike and hike path along the Old Erie Canal State Park from Dewitt to Rome.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "The Erie Canalway Trail links hundreds of communities across upstate New York from Buffalo to Albany and provides economic benefits as well as recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors. The improvements made to this section of trail in the Mohawk Valley will add additional amenities for trail users and will help to draw more visitors to the historic New York State Canal System."

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said, "This project represents another step forward in our efforts to connect canal communities and encourage increased recreation, tourism and economic development along the entire Canal System. As with many other Erie Canalway Trail projects, the partnerships forged between the Canal Corporation and numerous organizations, including State and local governments, are vital to the Trail's success. The Erie Canalway Trail will provide a tremendous statewide link, creating new and exciting recreational opportunities all along the scenic and historic Canal corridor."

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash said, "The Erie Canalway Trail is an ideal way for cyclists, runners, hikers and others to explore New York's beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. The improved trail link will enhance this tremendous recreational resource and further strengthen the Canalway's tourism potential. I am grateful to the Canal Corp. for spearheading this project."

The 20-mile 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 $2.12 million project is being funded with Federal Transportation Enhancement funds administered by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT).

The project features a 10-foot wide crushed limestone surface trail. Informational sign kiosks will be installed at the trailhead in Canastota and at Erie Canal Lock 21. Improvements will also be made to the trail crossing at Lock 21. In addition, a hiker-biker-boater campsite will be installed at Lock 21.

Trail users are advised that portions of the Erie Canalway Trail in the project area will be closed during the course of the project to facilitate construction. Trail segments will be constructed and completed in stages in order to minimize impact on trail traffic. Parallel roadways can be used to link trail segments that are open for use. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by October 29, 2010.

The project is being developed in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which operates and maintains the Old Erie Canal State Park. Additional partners include Madison and Oneida Counties, the Cities of Oneida and Rome, the Village of Canastota and the Towns of Lenox and Verona.

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.

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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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