Bridge that traveled by canal in July now set in place in Buffalo over I-190

Photos courtesy of Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy

BUFFALO – A 266-foot-long bridge was set in place last weekend over the I-190 near the Niagara Street exit.

The bridge for pedestrians and cyclists links to the Ralph Wilson Park and provides an iconic structure in the city.

Construction crews installed the bridge overnight last Saturday into Sunday.

The bridge was installed overnight last Saturday. The bridge gives access to a 100-plus acre waterfront park. The park is expected to open in stages starting in late 2025 and early 2026

Photos by Tom Rivers

The bridge was made in Italy and was transported over about three weeks across the Erie Canal. The bridge was in four pieces on two barges for the trip.

This photo shows the bridge being moved on the canal near the Keitel Road on July 15.

Carver Companies from near Albany pushed a 195-foot-long barge with a tugboat.

The transport of the bridge drew lots of interest from the public and media throughout the journey on the canal.

A second barge with two sections of the bridge heads west near the curve in the canal in Gaines Basin on July 19.

This is close to the historical marker that notes this spot is the northernmost point on the Erie Canal.