FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2007, 3 p.m.
CANALWAY TRAIL PROJECT WINS STATEWIDE DESIGN AWARD
Trail Segment in Herkimer, Montgomery Counties Recognized for Engineering Excellence
The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation today announced that a section of the Erie Canalway Trail running from Minden, Montgomery County to Little Falls, Herkimer County has been selected as the winner of the Silver Award in the Transportation Category from the 2007 Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Competition, sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. The award will be presented at an awards dinner on March 31, 2007 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
The award-winning project also was selected by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Capital Branch as Public Works Project of the Year in the Structures/Recreation category in 2006.
Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said, “With more than 260 miles of completed trail and more being added each year, the New York State Canalway Trail is fast becoming a top destination for cycling enthusiasts from across the country, as well as an important recreational and economic resource for New York residents. This prestigious award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation employees. The vision and creativity that went into this project resulted in a design that is not only sensitive to, but helps enhance, surrounding historic resources and allows us to highlight the best of our past, while providing a great benefit for current and future generations.”
The project involved design and construction of an 8.6 mile segment of Canalway Trail along the abandoned West Shore Railroad bed and the abandoned Erie Canal towpath between Minden in Montgomery County and Little Falls in Herkimer County.
The project included the rehabilitation and repurposing of a circa 1905 railroad bridge into a pedestrian bridge, as well as the design of several interpretive kiosks, trailhead parking areas, and seating areas. One kiosk is located at Lock 17, the largest lock in the world when it was built in 1916. The kiosks describe the rich history of the area on informative displays, including information about the Erie Canal, the lock system, and history of the transportation superhighway of New York State, as well as the importance of the Canalway Trail project within New York State.
The completed trail segment is part of the 348-mile Erie Canalway Trail that will eventually stretch from Buffalo to Albany and encompass one of the longest multi-use recreational trails in the United States. To date, more than 250 miles of the Erie Canalway Trail has been completed as part of a $35 million Canal Revitalization Program announced in 2002.
Foit-Albert Associates, a 105-person architectural, engineering and surveying firm with offices located in Buffalo, Albany and Watertown, provided survey and engineering design plans for the project.
Foit-Albert Executive Vice-President John J. Robson, PE, said, “Working with the Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation on this project was a pleasure. There were many challenging aspects of this project, and we were successful by working together as a solid team, which strengthened our relationship with the organization. This project was truly a pathway for exercise, tourism, history, and preservation.”
This is Foit-Albert Associates’ second award winning project with the Thruway/Canal Corporation. Foit-Albert Associates won the 1999 Award in the Park/Walkway/Recreation category from the Waterfront Center for the design of the Seneca Falls Harbor Restoration, which was completed just in time for the Centennial celebration of the Women’s Rights movement.
Project Manager Warren Shaw, PE commented that the Herkimer Home State Historic Site was the most challenging and rewarding part of the project. “We worked closely with the State Historic Preservation Office in order to increase traffic to the site while, at the same time, keeping the existing historic feel of the place intact.”
Shaw also noted the tremendous public support for the project. “All our public meetings were met with positive response. It’s a great asset to the community, and I look forward to using the bike trail myself this spring.”
The Herkimer Home State Historic Site is an English Georgian style mansion built by Nicholas Herkimer around 1764 and is an example of Mohawk Valley architecture. The Revolutionary War hero died in the historic home due to wounds suffered at the Battle of Fort Stanwix. The State acquired the home in 1913 and currently hosts educational programs on the grounds. (Information found at: http://www.littlefallsny.com/HerkimerHome/Page1.htm) The Canalway Trail segment ties in seamlessly with the historic site, encouraging path users to explore this beautiful state landmark. Engineers worked carefully with the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure that the path was located in historically accurate locations on the grounds and to ensure that the path does not disrupt the historic elements of the site.
The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York) is the voice of New York State’s engineering companies. The organization was founded in 1921 and it promotes a mission to be the leading advocate in New York State for consulting engineers and to enhance the image and business practices of professional engineering companies. With over 280 member firms, the ACEC New York lobbies, advocates, educates, networks, provides scholarships for engineering students, and awards and recognizes outstanding engineering efforts of its member firms.
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 about the New York State Canal System or to obtain a map of the Canalway Trail, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.nyscanals.gov.