ALBANY – A 20-mile section of the Erie Canal reopened last week, following extensive repairs to restore partial collapse of the canal embankment.   The section of the Erie Canal in Albion has been closed since July 30 when leaks resulted in a large sinkhole on the southern side of the embankment.

The breach in the embankment was caused by multiple fractures in the culvert pipe beneath the canal and associated concrete wall. At the Governor’s direction, work to repair the damage, including replacement of a ninety-foot-long section of culvert pipe, had been proceeding around the clock since the incident.

Howard P. Milstein, Chairman of the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation, said, "We commend the efforts of all parties that worked cooperatively to stop the leak and then repair it. This included local governments, canal personnel and canal emergency contractors. Due to their quick and expert actions, threat to the public was avoided and major property damage was deterred."

The breach in the Canal embankment was discovered on July 30 by a Canal Corporation maintenance supervisor when he checked the site of an ongoing project. He stopped two vehicles from driving into the sinkhole in the road moments later. Crews were immediately mobilized, and worked through the night to prevent a complete collapse of the embankment. Within an hour of the discovery, guard gates were closed in Holley and Albion to isolate the damaged area so water could be drained in order to facilitate the repair work.