Erie County and Canal Corporation Announce Completion of 3.5 Mile Segment of Erie Canalway Trail

September 12, 2008

Trail Segment from Tonawanda to Amherst Helps Complete Erie Canalway Trail in WNY

Erie County and the New York State Canal Corporation today announced the official opening of a 3.5-mile segment of the Erie Canalway Trail from Tonawanda to Amherst. The completion of this trail segment, between the City of Tonawanda line and Sweet Home Road in Amherst, connects nearly 90 miles of continuous trail and helps complete the Erie Canalway Trail in Western New York.

An official ribbon cutting of the Canalway Trail segment was hosted by Erie County Executive Chris Collins and Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello at Ellicott Creek Park. The event was attended by numerous State and local officials, community members and trail volunteers.

"Today's opening of the newest portion of the Erie Canalway Trail System is yet another sign that this community is serious about creating recreational destinations that also help support tourism and boost economic development," said County Executive Collins. "I want to thank the Canal Corp for its partnership on this important project and acknowledge Erie County's departments of Public Works and Environment & Planning for managing the planning, design and construction of the trail."

Director Mantello said, "Today's ribbon cutting represents another step forward in our efforts to connect canal communities and encourage recreation, tourism and economic development along the Canalway Trail. The Canalway Trail is a tremendous resource for canal communities and the State, providing a vital link throughout the Canal corridor. As with many other Canalway Trail projects, partnerships are crucial to the Trail's success and we are pleased to have worked with Erie County to complete this project."

The project features a 10-foot wide asphalt surface to accommodate a wide variety of users from walkers and joggers to in-line skaters and bicyclists. A number of enhancements are also in place including directional signage and an interpretive kiosk that provides information about the Canal System in New York State. Enhancements have also been made to existing parking areas to make them handicapped accessible and benches are also located at numerous locations.

"Recreational opportunities are a vital part of our communities," said State Senator Mary Lou Rath. "The Erie Canalway Trail will provide multiple opportunities for people to not only exercise but also to enjoy an important part of our heritage. I commend the effort the county has made to make this trail available to residents and tourists alike."

"This section of the Erie Canalway Trail provides an important regional, historical and recreational link for the future of our community. Residents and visitors alike should bring their bikes, running shoes, skates or cross-country skis and enjoy the many outstanding, four-season opportunities offered along the Erie Canalway Trail," said Assemblyman Jim Hayes.

"Our community has so much to offer to the residents who call Amherst home," said Erie County Legislator Michael Ranzenhofer. "The completion of this section of the Erie Canalway Trail provides yet another example of the great quality of life all Western New Yorkers are able to enjoy."

"I would like to thank the New York State Canal Corp for helping to fund the completion of the three mile trail that now links Northern Amherst and Tonawanda to the 26 mile Erie Canal pathway," said Ed Rath, III, Erie County Legislator. "As a recreational destination, this is an important enhancement to the quality of life for our communities. I encourage the residents from across our region to come out and experience the historic and scenic beauty of the Amherst section."

Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony Caruana said, "Thank you to Erie County and our federal government for supporting the Erie Canalway Trail. This multi-use asset will provide additional recreational opportunities for our residents and will connect with our River Walk, Two Mile Creek Trail, and eventually, with the Sherwood Greenway Spur so our residents can enjoy the beautiful natural features of our area."

Ed Bauer Construction from Blasdell, New York constructed the 3.5-mile project. The $1 million project was funded with a combination of New York State Canal Corporation and Federal Transportation Enhancement funds and was developed in partnership with Erie County, which administered the design and construction.

"Peter J. Smith & Co. along with our sub-consultant, Greenman Pedersen Inc. is pleased to have been the designers and construction inspectors for this project," said Dan Sundell of the Peter J. Smith & Co., Inc. "This segment of the Canalway Trail provides a pleasant and scenic canal side recreational amenity for bicycling, skating and walking."

The New York State Canalway Trail System is comprised of a network of multi-use, recreational trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trail System is currently comprised of four major segments: the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Western New York; the Old Erie Canal State Park Trail in Central New York; the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike Trail in the Capital Region; and the Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail in the foothills of the Adirondacks near Lake George. For more information on the Canalway Trail and New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit the Corporation's website at: www.nyscanals.gov.