The New York State Canal Corporation in September announced the completion of two multi-million dollar infrastructure projects in greater Rochester – a rehabilitated eight mile segment of the Erie Canalway Trail from Monroe Avenue in the Town of Pittsford to Main Street in the Village of Fairport and a newly constructed section of canal wall, also in Fairport.
“We are proud to unveil the new improvements to the canal wall and Canalway Trail in two of New York’s most iconic canal communities—Pittsford and Fairport,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “The Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail have proven to be economic engines for New York and by ensuring our infrastructure is in good repair we can continue growing their impact on New York’s economy.”
The eight miles of upgraded trail includes rehabilitated stone dust and asphalt trail surfaces, drainage and safety improvements and the installation of new directional and informational signage. Additionally, new retaining walls were constructed along the edge of the canal at Schoen Place in Pittsford and O’Connor Road in Fairport in order to widen the trail at these locations.
This $2.3 million trail improvement project was funded under the Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond that was approved by the voters in 2005. The project was constructed by Ramsey Constructors from Lakeville, New York.
In downtown Fairport, the wall along the northern side of the canal was reconstructed. The $2.72 million project replaced 420 feet of existing stone wall with soldier piles and precast concrete panels to create a safer and more stable wall for boaters to tie up alongside. A one-half mile portion of the Erie Canalway Trail from Parker Street to Cobbs Lane was also reconstructed. The project was completed by Keeler Construction Company of Albion, NY.
The trail between Pittsford to Fairport is one of the most popular segments along the statewide Erie Canalway Trail system linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. A trail traffic count conducted by Parks & Trails New York and the Canal Corporation in 2012 in that area estimated an annual trail traffic volume of 212,000 persons.
The Pittsford to Fairport Erie Canalway Trail segment is part of the statewide, multi-use, Erie Canalway Trail linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. More than three-quarters of the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany is now complete. For more information, please visit. www.canals.ny.gov/trails/about.html.
Canalway Trail Times 