Temporary Closures - Empire State Trail
From time to time, sections of the Empire State Trail may be temporarily closed – typically for 4 to 8 weeks or longer – due to construction activities on the trail corridor or other reasons. Trail closures may be needed during rehabilitation of old deteriorated trail sections, or due to repair of bridges, culverts, or utilities that cross the trail.
Trail users will need to utilize alternate on-road routes to detour around temporary trail closures. Users not familiar with the area should review these closures and plan ahead as these detours may or may not be signed.
The following list includes Empire State Trail segments that have been reported as closed or where activities may temporarily impact trail users. (Closures are listed chronologically by section with most recent listed first)
Updated March 19, 2026.
Hudson Valley Section (New York City to Albany)
- Manhattan/New York City, New York County: Starting in March, Manhattan Tunnel Project work will require a small detour of the Hudson River Park segment of the Empire State Trail between W. 29th Street and W. 30th Street. During this time, the bikeway will be shifted and narrowed to 12 feet, and the walkway will be narrowed to 8 feet. Users may also encounter construction trucks crossing the trail in this location and should use caution. Detour signage will be installed and users will be protected by 8-foot barriers around work areas and by bollards/jersey barriers separating north and south travel on the path. Work is anticipated to take 6 months to complete after which a more permanent trail accommodation will be constructed in this location. Click here to see this section on the map.
Erie Canalway Trail Section (Buffalo to Albany)
- Rochester, Monroe County: The NYS Canal Corporation is performing important rehabilitation work on the Erie Canalway Trail in the Rochester area between Buffalo Road and Chili Avenue. This work is expected to last several weeks and requires a complete closure of the Trail with a marked detour. Click here to see this section on the map. For more information visit the NYS Canal Corporation.
- Rome, Oneida County: NYS Canal Corporation will perform winter maintenance on Lock E-21 to rehabilitate underwater components. Heavy machinery will be in use during this time and the north side of the Canalway/Empire State Trail and both north and south parking areas will be closed. There is no detour planned at this time. As the weather allows for increased trail use, a detour will be implemented, if necessary. Click here to see this section on the map.
- Chittenango-Canastota, Madison County: Beginning June 27, NYS Canal Corporation and NYS Parks will be evaluating a section of the Empire State Trail/Erie Canalway Trail near Kimberlee Drive for trail surface and embankment repair. Users may experience temporary closures and maintenance vehicles, or construction equipment using the trail during this time. Trail users are advised to slow down, follow signs and flaggers, and use caution. This page will be updated with more details as they are available. Click here to see this segment on the map.
- Durhamville, Oneida County: The Empire State Trail will be closed between Lake Road and N Main Street/Rt. 46 in Durhamville for repair work on the Oneida Creek Aqueduct. Trail users should follow local roads and detour signs to bypass the closure. This page will be updated with additional information when available. Click here to see this trail segment.
- Perinton, Monroe County: Beginning April 2025, NYS DOT will be repairing a highway overpass that carries I-490 above the canal and trail in this location. Trail closures are not expected however users may experience temporary impacts thought out the construction season. At these times, flaggers will be stationed on or near the trails to assist trail users. Work is anticipated to last through fall 2026.
- Buffalo, Erie County: The EST/ Shoreline Trail through the former LaSalle Park is now closed as it undergoes a multi-year renovation to become Ralph Wilson Park. Trail users will need to follow the Shoreline Trail on-road detour signage along Niagara Street to connect the trail between Canalside and Porter Ave. Click this link for more project details or Click here to see this trail segment.
Champlain Valley Section (Albany to Rouses Point)
- No closures at this time