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)
- East Greenbush to Hudson, Rensselaer and Columbia Counties: The Hudson River Valley Greenway will undertake repairs and paving on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET) beginning Tuesday, September 5. The trail will remain open during the repairs. Short detours may be necessary and signage will be present to alert users of contractors performing work. Trail users should use caution near work areas. Trail work is expected to last through mid-December. Click here to see this trail segment.
- Stormville, Dutchess County: Metro North RR/MTA has closed a 2.5 mile segment of the Maybrook Trailway between Green Haven Road and Depot Hill Road due to July storm damage. Trail users should 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 closed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge indefinitely. Trail users should follow detour signage near Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect 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.
- Syracuse, Onondaga County: A portion of the Onondaga Creekwalk is being improved through the Syracuse Inner Harbor. A small detour has been established and trail users should follow the detour signage on city streets. Work is expected to be completed later this fall. 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 on-road detour 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 closed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge indefinitely. Trail users should follow detour signage near Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect 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: National Grid will be performing a powerline project between Scrafford Ln. and River Rd./Rt. 5s through the end of the year. The trail may be closed temporarily for short periods for equipment and vehicle access. Trail users should use caution and watch for flaggers during this time. Beginning in November, trail users will need to follow a 2-mile marked detour along Route 5s/River Road. 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)
- Peru, Clinton County: The NYS DOT has closed the Carpenter's Flats Bridge on Route 9 which carries the on-road trail here. Trail users should follow the detour signage around the bridge closure. The repair is expected to last until December 2023. Click here to see this trail segment.
- Albany-Rensselaer, Albany & Rensselaer Counties: The New York State DOT has closed the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Dunn Memorial Bridge indefinitely. Trail users should follow detour signage near Jennings Landing to utilize the pedestrian path behind the concrete barriers to connect 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.