Lower Lock Construction

In 1903, the people of New York voted to build the Barge Canal System, which unlike the old canal used canalized natural water courses as well as artificial channels. Its 57 concrete locks were electrically operated and could hold a vessel of 2,000 tons instead of 250 tons in the old system. At Lockport, the old double flight of five locks was replaced by two giant locks built in tandem, Locks 34 and 35. Construction began in 1910 under Contract 67, which also included widening and deeming of the canal prism, construction of a hydraulic flume, and erection of the Main and Transit Street bridges. The firm of Larkin and Sangster built the locks, canal prism, and adjoining structures. Work began in October 1910. In 1911 the entire south tier of the enlarged combined locks was demolished, while the north tier remained open to maintain traffic during construction. Rock walls were cut away by compressed air channeling machines, the escarpment face was broken by dynamite, and rock was excavated by a 70 ton Bucyrus steam shovel and hauled by three dinky trains to a spoil site between the canal and Clinton Street in the old mill pond. That same year the hydraulic flume was built and operating by August. In 1912 and 1913 the concrete lock walls were poured and the lock machinery was installed. By January 1914, Contract 67 was completed at a cost of $1,048,772. Theodore Roosevelt, Governor of New York before becoming the 26th President of the United States, championed enlargement of the Erie Canal, and the Erie Barge Canal System stands as a tribute to his determination to revitalize the canal; he also played an instrumental role in development of the Panama Canal during his presidency.

Lockport, New York · United States