DOT

Excavations To Begin At Albany’s Lock One

July 11, 2026 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted a permit for an archeological excavation to confirm the location of historic Lock One of the Erie Canal in Albany’s downtown Warehouse District.

This according to a recent message to supporters of The Albany Waterway’s project to uncover the old lock, buried for a century, and transform the site. The lock was once connected to a boat basin, an associated weigh lock, and the Hudson River. [Read more…] about Excavations To Begin At Albany’s Lock One

Don’t Be Salty, New York: Reducing Rock Salt Use Reduces Pollution

December 10, 2025 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has launched, “Don’t Be Salty, New York,” an effort to encourage New Yorkers to reduce the overuse of rock salt.

It only takes one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water. Overusing rock salt on roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks can be costly for consumers, degrade infrastructure, contaminate runoff that enters streams and waterbodies, and impact drinking water. [Read more…] about Don’t Be Salty, New York: Reducing Rock Salt Use Reduces Pollution

Route 73 Daily Lane Closures Planned for Adirondack Hiking Areas

July 31, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) is advising motorists that State Route 73 in towns of Keene and North Elba (Lake Placid), Essex County, will be reduced to one lane of alternating travel controlled by flaggers between Gilmore Hill Road and Lower Cascade Lake (in Keene), and between Bobsled Run Lane (Mt. Van Hoevenberg) and Recycle Circle Lane (in North Elba / Lake Placid), from 6 am to 6 pm weekdays, beginning Monday, August 11, through approximately Friday, Sept 5, to accommodate a pavement re-surfacing project. [Read more…] about Route 73 Daily Lane Closures Planned for Adirondack Hiking Areas

Historic Preservationists Seek Restoration of Buffalo’s Humboldt Parkway

April 20, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Constructed at the height of Urban Renewal, Buffalo’s Kensington Expressway tore through neighborhoods and destroyed the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Humboldt Parkway.

The original Humboldt Parkway was part of a historic system of parks, parkways, and circles designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the late 1800s. [Read more…] about Historic Preservationists Seek Restoration of Buffalo’s Humboldt Parkway

Governor Kathy Hochul Vetoes Safe Wildlife Crossings Act

November 26, 2024 by Editorial Staff 5 Comments

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has vetoed the Safe Wildlife Crossings Act, a bill designed to make highways safer for motorists and wildlife with purpose-built crossings in the New York’s North Country. The bill would have required the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYS Thruway Authority to conduct studies to determine the most hazardous areas of highways for vehicle-animal collisions and develop a plan to reduce those hazards. [Read more…] about Governor Kathy Hochul Vetoes Safe Wildlife Crossings Act

James Shanahan: Stone Mason & Railroad and Canal Builder

October 16, 2024 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

At Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site you can see all three of the major phases of the Erie Canal – from the original “Clinton’s Ditch,” to the enlargements of the mid-19th century to the Barge Canal of today. You can also see Lock E-12 operated by the New York State Canal Corporation between Tribes Hill and Fort Hunter in Montgomery County, NY.

This lock has a movable dam and is one of only two which also serve as an automobile bridge. It’s known as the “James Shanahan Lock.” [Read more…] about James Shanahan: Stone Mason & Railroad and Canal Builder

Adirondack Rail Trail Now Open from Lake Placid to Santa Clara

September 1, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Twenty-five miles of the new Adirondack Rail Trail has officially opened from Lake Placid to Floodwood Road in Santa Clara in Franklin County, New York.

New York State recently awarded the contract for rail trail construction from Floodwood Road to Tupper Lake (which remains closed) and work is expected to begin immediately on that final phase of the 34-mile, multi-use recreational corridor for outdoor adventurers between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. [Read more…] about Adirondack Rail Trail Now Open from Lake Placid to Santa Clara

Report: State Agencies Ignoring New York’s Climate Mandates

August 17, 2024 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

A recent report reveals that nearly every major New York State agency is ignoring climate mandates, including four of the state’s best-funded departments.

The report, “Flouting the Law: Major State Agencies Are Ignoring New York’s Climate Mandates,” by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) and the NY Renews Coalition, highlights these failures. [Read more…] about Report: State Agencies Ignoring New York’s Climate Mandates

An Albany Waterway Canal Project Update

July 11, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Albany Waterway Canal, a transformative project with hopes to revitalize downtown Albany’s access to the Hudson River, is moving forward on two fronts. [Read more…] about An Albany Waterway Canal Project Update

500-Mile Franklin County Multi-Use Trail Network Being Planned

June 13, 2024 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

Franklin County, NY, is proposing a 500-mile multi-use trail network for off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, bicycles, cross-county skiing, hiking, dog sleds, horseback riding and more. The network would connect to multi-use trail networks in St. Lawrence and Clinton Counties, creating a large regional trail network for ATV and UTV owners. [Read more…] about 500-Mile Franklin County Multi-Use Trail Network Being Planned

NYS Legislature Passes New York Wildlife Crossings Act

May 14, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The State Assembly and State Senate have both acted to pass the New York Wildlife Crossings Act, which was sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and Assembly Member Robert Carroll. The bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to assess roadways “in the state for potential wildlife crossings to improve wildlife habitat connectivity, reduce wildlife vehicle collisions, and increase public safety for New York motorists.” [Read more…] about NYS Legislature Passes New York Wildlife Crossings Act

Albany Waterway-Hudson River Project Information Session With DOT Set For May 1st

April 22, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The NYS Department of Transportation has been studying various proposals to reconnect Albany with the Hudson River, thanks to a grant of over $5 million secured by Assemblywoman Pat Fahy. On Wednesday, May 1st they are hosting an Open House at the Capital Center in Albany, located on Eagle Street adjacent to the Renaissance Hotel, from 4 pm until 7 pm. [Read more…] about Albany Waterway-Hudson River Project Information Session With DOT Set For May 1st

Adirondack Park Land Reclassified To Allow More Motorized Access

March 30, 2024 by Editorial Staff 7 Comments

Governor Kathy Hochul has approved the 2023-24 Adirondack Park State Land classification package. The action includes 36 state land classifications and changes in classification totaling about 6,250 acres. The majority of these lands are now classified to allow motor vehicle access, including Forest Preserve lands (state lands in the Adirondack Park) formerly classified as Wilderness. [Read more…] about Adirondack Park Land Reclassified To Allow More Motorized Access

Niagara Scenic Parkway Removal Update

January 25, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is beginning the scoping process for phase three of the removal of the Niagara Scenic Parkway, between Findlay Drive in the City of Niagara Falls and Center Street in the Village of Lewiston. [Read more…] about Niagara Scenic Parkway Removal Update

State’s Road Salt Use Impedes Lake George’s Recovery

December 16, 2023 by Anthony F. Hall Leave a Comment

A plan to use 10% less road salt as part of a pilot project notwithstanding, the New York State Department of Transportation still spreads roughly 290 tons of the stuff every winter on the highway along Lake George’s west shore.

“The DOT was actually using less salt on the trips out, which was good, but in 2019, its drivers started making two to three times more frequent trips, so ultimately, there was no reduction at all in the use of salt,” said Lake George Waterkeeper Chris Navitsky. [Read more…] about State’s Road Salt Use Impedes Lake George’s Recovery

‘Greenway Trails For A Green Future’ Bills Introduced In State Legislature

November 17, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

On Thursday, New York State Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (D-Albany) introduced a package of legislation known as the “Greenway Trails For A Green Future” aimed at modernizing New York’s greenway and multi-use trail system, while improving cyclist and pedestrian safety and growing the tourism and outdoor recreation industries.

Senator Pete Harckham (D-Peekskill) and Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) are also sponsoring a bill included in the package. [Read more…] about ‘Greenway Trails For A Green Future’ Bills Introduced In State Legislature

State Seeks Comments, Plans For Saranac Lake Railroad Depot Reuse

October 3, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is calling for submissions of ideas and plans for use and public access to the historic Saranac Lake Union Depot building on the former New York Central Railroad Adirondack Division line in the village of Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. [Read more…] about State Seeks Comments, Plans For Saranac Lake Railroad Depot Reuse

Adirondack Road Salt Report Issued: Some Data & Recommendations

September 6, 2023 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

New York State’s Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, established by the Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act in 2020, has been released. The Task Force was charged with conducting a comprehensive review of road salt contamination and roadway, parking lot, driveway, and sidewalk management best practices within the Adirondack Park, and making recommendations for enhancements. [Read more…] about Adirondack Road Salt Report Issued: Some Data & Recommendations

2 Years Later, State’s Adirondack Road Salt Report Still Not Public

August 30, 2023 by Editorial Staff 1 Comment

In December 2020, the Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act was signed into law, creating the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force. The Task Force was organized in 2021, led by Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of Transportation (DOT), and completed its deliberations by late 2022.

As a new winter and road salt season approaches there has been no news or public information about the report, which has apparently been drafted for months. [Read more…] about 2 Years Later, State’s Adirondack Road Salt Report Still Not Public

NYS Road Salt Plan Still Stalled While DOT Plans Another Season of Polluting Adirondack Waters

July 17, 2023 by Peter Bauer Leave a Comment

Road salt pollution in Adirondacks lakes has been well documented over the last three decades and spotlighted for political action over the last decade. Contamination of residential and small business drinking water wells in lands downslope of heavily salted roads have also been documented, and in some communities is on the rise. [Read more…] about NYS Road Salt Plan Still Stalled While DOT Plans Another Season of Polluting Adirondack Waters

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