Temporary Closures - Empire State Trail
From time to time, short sections of rail trails and canalway trails are 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.
The following Empire State Trail segments are currently closed. (Closures are listed chronologically by section with most recent listed first)
Updated November 22, 2023
Hudson Valley Section (New York City to Albany)
- Stormville, Dutchess County: Repairs have been completed on the the 2.5 mile segment of the Maybrook Trailway between Green Haven Road and Depot Hill Road. Metro North RR/MTA asks trail users to please avoid this segment until they reopen the trail. Trail users may utilize local roads to connect between the two trail segments. Click here to see this section on the map.
- Albany-Rensselaer, Albany & Rensselaer Counties: The New York State DOT has removed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge. Trail users must follow detour signage at Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect farther up to the bridge walkway and across the Hudson River. Cyclists should dismount and walk their bicycles. Click here to see this section on the map.
Erie Canalway Trail Section (Buffalo to Albany)
- Royalton, Niagara County: Beginning October 30, NYS Canal Corporation will be closing a portion of the trail between Root Rd., east of Gasport, and Carmen Rd., west of Middleport, to perform embankment work. Trail users will need to utilize local roads and follow detour signage. Work is expected to last through May, 2024. Click here to see this trail segment.
- 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.
- Albany-Rensselaer, Albany & Rensselaer Counties: The New York State DOT has removed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge. Trail users must follow detour signage at Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect farther up to the bridge walkway and across the Hudson River. Cyclists should dismount and walk their bicycles. Click here to see this section on the map.
- Rotterdam Junction, Schenectady County: Due to National Grid infrastructure construction, there will be intermittent closures of the EST/ECT from February 7, 2024, lasting approximately two weeks. While the Bikeway will remain open, please be cognizant of the ongoing work between route 5s going past Mabie Lane in Rotterdam, NY. There will be personnel onsite using flags to allow members of the public to pass the work areas safely, as construction personnel will stop working to allow passage. Click here to see this section on the map.
- Macedon, Wayne County: A 0.5-mile trail section from Walworth Road east to Pal-Mac Park remains closed due to repairs to the Ganargua Creek Aqueduct. Signage has been installed marking temporary on-road detours for through-trail bicyclists and hikers. Click here to see this section on the map.
Champlain Valley Section (Albany to Rouses Point)
- Albany-Rensselaer, Albany & Rensselaer Counties: The New York State DOT has removed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge. Trail users must follow detour signage at Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect farther up to the bridge walkway and across the Hudson River. Cyclists should dismount and walk their bicycles. Click here to see this section on the map.