Canalway Trail Closures
Periodically, short sections of the Canalway Trail are temporarily closed due to construction activities on the trail corridor. Trail closures may be needed during rehabilitation of old deteriorated trail sections, or due to repair of bridges, culverts, or utilities that cross the trail. Trail users will need to utilize alternate on-road routes to detour around temporary trail closures.
These closures are reflected on the interactive Cycle the Erie Canal trail map, along with alternate on-road detour routes.
Updated March 20, 2025
Information on this page is shared from New York State's Empire State Trail website at https://empiretrail.ny.gov/trail-closures
Closures are listed from west to east along the Erie Canalway Trail, and from north to south along the Champlain Canalway Trail.
Current Erie Canalway Trail Closures
Buffalo, Erie County
The EST/ Shoreline Trail through the former LaSalle Park is now closed as it undergoes a multi-year renovation to become Ralph Wilson Park. Trail users will need to follow the on-road detour along Niagara Street to connect the trail between Canalside and Porter Ave. Click this link for more project details.
Lockport, Niagara County
A portion of the Erie Canalway Trail adjacent to Lock 35, Lockport, Niagara County, was closed from October 15 to January 31, 2025 for bridge replacement. The trail will be closed from 7:00am – 3:30pm daily (M-F) for the six (6) week duration to allow crews to complete the necessary work. Update: The trail in Lockport is open now but the work is not complete due to weather related issues. Work will resume spring 2025. This page will be updated when this is the case.
Royalton, Niagara County
The NYS Canal Corporation has closed a 3-mile portion of the trail between Root Rd., east of Gasport, and Carmen Rd., west of Middleport, to perform embankment work. Trail users will need to utilize local roads and follow detour signage. Work is expected to last through May 30, 2025.
Perinton, Monroe County
Beginning April 2025, NYS DOT will be repairing a highway overpass that carries I-490 above the canal and trail in this location. Trail closures are not expected however users may experience temporary impacts thought out the construction season. At these times, flaggers will be stationed on or near the trails to assist trail users. Work is anticipated to last through fall 2026.
Durhamville, Oneida County
A 0.1-mile segment of the Empire State Trail will be closed between Lake Road and N Main Street/Rt. 46 in Durhamville for repair work on the Oneida Creek Aqueduct. Trail users should follow local roads and detour signs to bypass the closure. This page will be updated with additional information when available.
Albany, Albany County to Rensselaer, Rensselaer County
The New York State DOT has removed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge. Trail users must follow detour signage at Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect farther up to the bridge walkway and across the Hudson River. Cyclists should dismount and walk their bicycles.
Current Champlain Canalway Trail Closures
Fort Edward, Washington County
Beginning Saturday, April 6, 2024 and continuing through May 2025, construction contractors will be working adjacent to the trail north of Fort Edward and using the trail for vehicular access to their work areas. Flaggers will be used to coordinate trailway user access with ongoing construction access. Work is expected to take place Mondays through Saturdays, 7:00am to 6:00pm. No work will take place on Sundays or on July 4. As this is a part of a construction area, trail users are advised to slow down, obey flaggers and signage, and use caution while on this portion of trail. Trail users should also expect increased traffic volume on Towpath Road during this time. See this map for more details.
