Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, center, and Lockport Mayor Anne McCaffrey, right, took a short trip Tuesday by bike on the newly opened Erie Canalway Trail path through Lockport. (ENP PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER)

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The Erie Canal opened for travel on Wednesday. A new stretch of bike path along the canal in Lockport and Pendleton officially opened a day earlier.

Officials cut the ribbon, officially opening the new four-mile stretch.

The 192nd season of navigation along New York's Canals April 27 opening is the earliest the waterway has opened in more than 30 years thanks to a mild winter which allowed staff to complete maintenance projects, and opening preparations, ahead of schedule. The Canal system includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals in upstate New York.

"New York's Canal system is an engineering marvel of epic proportions and its construction demonstrated the sort of vision, determination and boldness that define us as New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "Nearly two centuries after its completion, the Canal system continues to be an important tourist destination, while also playing a vital role supporting industries throughout Upstate New York."

The Erie Canal represents one of the most significant engineering achievements in New York’s history and along with its adjoining canals, it continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the state’s economy. According to a 2014 report, the system generates nearly $380 million in tourism spending annually across upstate New York, and more than $6.2 billion from non-tourism uses such as agricultural irrigation, commercial shipping, and renewable power generated at 27 hydroelectric facilities located along the Canal. The report also determined that the Canals support 26,472 jobs, $1.6 billion in personal income, and $702 million in tax revenue, both directly and indirectly.

Canal Corp. Director Brian U. Stratton discusses the upcoming boating -- and biking -- seasons along the Erie Canal.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, "Each year, our iconic Canal system draws scores of visitors from all over the world to travel along America's most storied manmade waterway and to enjoy walking, biking, and fishing along its banks. It is a historical marvel that has consistently fueled New York's economy through recreation and tourism, and I look forward to seeing what this year's Canal navigation season adds to that already-rich history."

The Canal navigation season is scheduled to end on Nov. 20, weather permitting.

For those who want to travel along the canal but not necessarily on it, there's a newly constructed section of the Erie Canalway Trail between the city of Lockport and the town of Pendleton. The opening marks the completion of a $5.4 million project to construct four new miles of 10-foot wide asphalt trail between Stevens Street in Lockport and Fisk Road in Pendleton, as well as additional work in the town of Amherst. The 365-mile trail that stretches from Lake Erie to the Hudson River is now more than 75 percent complete.

In addition to the four miles of new trail, a pedestrian bridge was built over Donner Creek in Lockport near Fisk Feigle Road and an on-street path was added from Stevens Street to Erie Canal Locks 34 and 35. Informational kiosks have been installed on the trail to guide visitors, and parking and trail access is now available on State Street.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday's cold weather wouldn't deter her from biking along the new path.

At Tuesday's grand opening and ribbon cutting, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said, "The completion of this part of the Canalway Trail will help these communities thrive. It is imperative that we continue to preserve the land and trails surrounding the Canal so it can be enjoyed by future generations."

The Canalway Trail's popularity among New Yorkers and visitors alike has made it an economic engine for communities throughout upstate New York. Each year, approximately 1.5 million people use the Erie Canalway Trail, resulting in an estimated $253 million in economic activity from visitor spending statewide. The Buffalo-Pendleton segment is the most heavily used part of the Canalway Trail with approximately 350,000 annual users.

State Sen. Rob Ortt said, "Shortly after its completion in the City of Lockport a couple of months ago, I’ve seen dozens of people taking advantage of the Canalway Trail, whether they’re walking or biking. The trail offers scenic views along the Erie Canal, and has the potential to attract more tourists to the area with the help of the Flight of Five locks and the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride virtually down the street. I have no doubt this project will have a positive economic impact that’ll also bring a sense of resurgence to the city."

Lockport Mayor Anne McCaffrey said the bike path  makes Lockport more accessible.

Town of Lockport Supervisor Mark Crocker called the project "a great example of State and local government working together to finish a project that will enhance the lives of people for many generations to come." He said he expects people to use the path hundreds of years from now.

Lockport Mayor Anne McCaffrey said, "The expansion of the Canalway Trail from Lockport to Pendleton is exciting for our residents as well as visitors who come to enjoy the Erie Canal, Bicyclists and runners will have the opportunity to take in the Erie Canal while doing so on a safe and well-maintained trail. We're looking forward to showing off our city and locks to more neighbors and visitors on the trail."

Following the ribbon cutting, Hochul, McCaffrey and others went for a short ride down the path.

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Andrew Cuomo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $2.7 million to implement projects proposed in the Niagara County NY Rising Community Reconstruction Plan that address persistent damage from severe flooding. In the summer of 2013, communities throughout the county suffered significant damage from flooding and this funding supports their ongoing efforts to become more resilient against future flooding and extreme weather.

"More and more, extreme weather and severe storms are becoming the new normal and we must do all we can to help communities throughout New York become more resilient and better prepared in this new reality," Governor Cuomo said. "These projects will make critical upgrades that reduce potential vulnerabilities in Niagara County and ensure residents are protected from future flooding."

The NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program is a bottom-up, planning process designed to empower communities that suffered significant damage from Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The program was established in April 2013 by the Governor and is funded almost entirely by over $600 million of federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program. Following the summer storms of 2013, New York State contributed an addition $15 million to the program, including $3 million specifically for efforts in Niagara County.

Acting Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, "The Department of State is pleased to support the Governor’s resiliency planning efforts to prepare Niagara County for future disasters and advance projects that are critical to the well-being of these communities."

The following projects, which were developed by the Niagara County NY Rising Community Reconstruction Planning Committee will address critical vulnerabilities to flood damage in the area:

• $1,500,000 for Sewer Separation on High Street in the City of Lockport. The severe flooding in June of 2013 caused significant damage to the sewer system in the City of Lockport, impacting over 600 residents and much of the city's infrastructure. Installing a new storm-water main trunk line on High Street will divert storm-water from the current combined system and reduce the risk of sewer backups during heavy weather events.
  
• $325,000 for Emergency Power Generation for Pump Stations in the Town of Lockport. When more than five inches of rain fell in the Town of Lockport in June of 2013, power was lost to key pump stations in Lockport’s sanitary sewer system, causing the sewer system to shut down and resulting in basement backup flooding of entire residential subdivisions. This project will install permanent stand-by emergency power generation at key pump stations throughout the Lockport system to mitigate future flood damage and prevent discharges of untreated wastewater into dwellings and businesses.
  
• $350,000 for Emergency Power for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the City of Niagara Falls. The Niagara Falls Waste-water Treatment Plant (WWTP) has no permanently installed backup power source to ensure operation of the lift station during a power outage. This project will expand the emergency power distribution system within the Niagara Falls WWTP and replace an undersized diesel standby generator with modern, up-sized equipment capable of meeting the full WWTP power needs under emergency conditions.
  
• $325,000 for Emergency Power Generation at the City of Niagara Falls Sewer Collection System. With no permanent backup power sources, the Niagara Falls sewer collection system is susceptible to waste-water backups that could cause raw wastewater to flood basements throughout the city in the event of widespread power outages. This project will install permanent power generation at critical lift stations in the Niagara Falls sewer collection system in order to protect residents from basement flooding and exposure to raw wastewater.
  
• $200,000 for Sewer Lift Stations Standby Generators in the Town of Wheatfield. The residents of the Town of Wheatfield are at risk of flooding due to sewer system backup in the event of a power outage caused by a severe weather event. By installing emergency standby generators at sewer lift stations throughout the town, this project will mitigate damaging flooding of residential dwellings, reduce maintenance costs to clean up back flows, and minimize risk to public health that may result from exposure to waste-water.

Niagara County Legislature Chairman Wm. Keith McNall said, "Niagara County sincerely appreciates Governor Cuomo's Flood Resiliency Projects in Niagara County. The projects will help prepare Niagara County for future inclement weather damages, disasters and flooding as well as water treatment facility improvements."

Lockport Mayor Ann McCaffrey said, "This funding is great news for the City of Lockport. In 2013, we experienced a significant flood event that affected many residents and businesses. We have plans, and now the funding, in place to improve our infrastructure and reduce the risk of future flooding. I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for their support of this initiative and for the opportunity to increase our resiliency against future flooding."

Town of Lockport Supervisor Mark Crocker said, "We are thrilled that we've been offered this money to provide emergency backup generation for our lift stations. It couldn't come at a better time as we're just about to begin a phase two plan to upgrade our lift stations with pumps and emergency backup. On behalf of the people of Lockport, we say 'thank you.'"

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TOWN OF LOCKPORT -- Water Department personnel are repairing a water main break between Route 31 and the Erie Canal that have some residents in the area of Day and Groff roads without water.

Town of Lockport Supervisor Mark Crocker said, "Our guys are on scene ... with the pit dug and repairs underway."

Crocker says repairs should be finished within an hour to an hour and a half.

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