03/29/2022
I came across what I thought was an interesting video on Youtube and New York Times Op-Ed piece by Rutgers University Economics Professor Jason Barr. He has proposed an expansion of Manhattan Island. Something he calls very unusual in the USA, but, fairly common in other coastal cities of the world. It will be huge and hugely expensive, but the potential to recoup the expenses is doable.
So why would a person interested in developing the Erie and auxiliary canals of New York State be posting his idea on a site related to the canal system and business? Prof. Barr's plan needs fill, millions of tons of fill.
So, where can the fill come from? New York's Canals. We need to stop thinking of the canals as manmade structures that are no longer economically viable and an economic drain. I believe, since nearly all of the canals have been in existence for about 200 yrs., we consider them no differently than New York State rivers. Find new ways to use them, not ignore or look to close them.
The state should take a look at widening and deepening the canals, raising bridge heights to accommodate modern barges and inland cruise ships, eliminating flooding along the eastern portion of the canal, increasing irrigation potential, divert water to the NYC freshwater reservoirs south of the canal, etc.
All the while taking the extracted rubble to fill in the land for Prof. Barr's dream. It really does not cost much to take a serious look at the possibilities. And, if it cannot be done economically, well it cannot be done.
New York State was "once" the Empire State, why not again?
Mike Wrona
CanalNY, Member
Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises
Social Media and Education
Lockport, NY
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