Canal Corp. will be in Orleans today to inspect bridges

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 September 2016 at 8:53 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: The Tug Syracuse carries inspectors and officials from the State Canal Corporation after checking the lift bridge in Holley in August 2014. Canal inspectors will be in Orleans today to check hydraulic, mechanical and electrical on the lift bridges

File photo by Tom Rivers: The Tug Syracuse carries inspectors and officials from the State Canal Corporation after checking the lift bridge in Holley in August 2014. Canal inspectors will be in Orleans today to check hydraulic, mechanical and electrical on the lift bridges

The State Canal Corporation will have a team of inspectors in Orleans County today, looking over the lift bridges and other canal infrastructure.

This is a visual inspection of the canal system. The State Canal Corp. team travels by tugboat to inspect the shoreline, navigation aids, and working components of each lock and lift bridge.

“They also take a look at the cleanliness of each facility, paint and concrete surfaces, signage, etc. There is a score chart completed for each item,” said Shane Mahar, Canal Corp. spokesman. “The results are reviewed and if an item needs attention, it’s factored into our maintenance and operations plan.”

The locks, lift bridges and tugs that are in excellent shape and score well will receive an award flag the following year.

Orleans County has seven of the 16 lift bridges on the canal system, the most of any county. Canal inspectors are scheduled to be in Medina at 8 a.m., Knowlesville at 9:20, Eagle Harbor at 10:20, Albion at 11:20 (2 lift bridges in Albion), Hulberton at 1:45 p.m., Holley at 2:55, before ending the day in Brockport to look at their two lift bridges.

Return to top