New Pedestrian Bridge Crosses Buffalo Along Erie Canal

Probably not by a mule named Sal

COEYMANS — A 266-foot pedestrian bridge is making its way to Buffalo via the Erie Canal after traveling from Italy on two 195-foot barges.

This is the new Ralph Wilson Park Bridge that will cross Interstate 190. It came from Italy after being manufactured by a company called Cimolai, which has a newly established presence in Olean.

Once installed, the bridge will connect Buffalo’s Lower West Side to the newly renovated park.

Josh Kowalski, vice president of sales and business development for the Port of Coeymans, said it is the most cost-effective way to transport the infrastructure.

“You would have to truck it all in pieces,” he said. “Whether it’s width or height, we have a lot of 14-foot-high overpasses. There are bridges that you want to protect on the road. So you can do that, but to do that you have to stop traffic. You have to set specific times to get traffic going. So the cost would be exorbitant.”

Crews are using a tug and barge system to navigate the bridge over 34 locks. Tight turns will require a delicate solo towing maneuver, while the rest of the journey will require a four-person tandem tow, while navigating obstacles and shallow water.

“It’s a great feature of New York state,” Kowalski said. “It’s historic. It’s something we’re trying to use more and more. We’re just looking for reasons.”

The bridge is expected to arrive in Buffalo on Tuesday, July 16 or earlier.