Brockport, New York, USA
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the selection of SHoP Architects as the lead designer of the Brockport Loop Pedestrian Bridge over the Erie Canal.
The new pedestrian bridge in the Village of Brockport represents the first large-scale infrastructure project to begin under the state’s “Reimagine the Canals” initiative.
The new bridge is part of an initiative to revitalize Erie Canal Corridor as a prime tourism and recreation destination to boost economic development and environmental resiliency, as well as reduce flooding.
“The Erie Canal transformed New York into an economic powerhouse in the 19th century, and in the 21st century can again serve as an engine for growth along the canal corridor,” Governor Cuomo said.
“With this initiative, we are both honoring the canal’s heritage and ensuring a very bright future.”
The “Brockport Loop” project in Monroe County will connect SUNY College at Brockport to the Empire State Trail and the village of Brockport through the transformation of a canal guard-gate into a pedestrian bridge and overlook.
Constructed adjacent to an existing Erie Canal guard gate, the new Brockport Loop Pedestrian Bridge will connect the SUNY Brockport campus to the Empire State Trail, a multi-use trail envisioned by the Governor that connects New York City to Canada, and Albany to Buffalo.
The trail, which parallels the Erie Canal, provides an important centrally located recreational amenity for New Yorkers who want to experience the outdoors.
Once built, the bridge will also complement the Village of Brockport’s recent installation of a kayak dock and plans for a nearby boathouse by serving as a viewing platform for anticipated rowing competitions on the canal.
Most importantly, the Brockport Loop Pedestrian Bridge represents a new future for the Erie Canal by adaptively reusing historic infrastructure for community benefit today.
The Brockport Loop Pedestrian Bridge is one of the economic development projects along the Erie Canal announced by Cuomo in his 2020 State of the State Reimagine the Canals initiative, a plan to invest in canalside communities and encourage economic activity and outdoor recreation throughout the state. NYPA has committed $300 million to the Reimagine the Canals program.
Construction of the Brockport Loop Pedestrian Bridge will begin in 2023.
SHoP Brockport Loop Bridge
Architects: SHoP Architects, PC.
Client: New York Canal Corporation, New York Power Authority
