Trail under construction with signs reading "trail closed"

Trail Closures

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 August 28, 2024.

Hudson Valley Section (New York City to Albany)

  • Manhattan-New York City:  NYC Parks Deptartment has closed a section of the Hudson River Greenway just north of the George Washington Bridge near W 181st Street due to trail damage. NYC Parks and DOT are assessing options for repair at this time. Trail users will need to utilize alternative routes on city streets during this time. This webpage will be updated with more information when available. 
  • Stormville, Dutchess County: Metro North RR/MTA has closed the 2.5 mile segment of the Maybrook Trailway between Green Haven Road and Depot Hill Road until further notice.  Trail users may utilize local roads to connect between the two trail segments. Trail users have reported that other sections of the Maybrook Trailway are no longer being maintained and have overgrown brush; trail users should use caution in this section and check themselves for ticks.   Click here to see this section on the map. 
  • Multiple locations, Rensselaer and Columbia Counties: Beginning mid-May through the end of August, National Grid will be performing corridor maintenance along 20 miles of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail between the town of Nassau to the north and Greenport to the south. During this time trail users may encounter segments of the trail that are closed for tree trimming. Trail users will need to follow local roads to detour around these temporary closures. Work will occur on weekdays only and is expected to conclude in August. Click here to see this segment of the trail. 
  • Hudson, Columbia County: The City of Hudson will be undertaking streetscape improvements along N and S Front Street where the trail is aligned on-road. Work is expected to begin in June and last through October, 2024. While the road will not be fully closed, construction equipment and temporary detours will be in place for certain periods. Trail users should follow detour signage or utilize alternate routes to connect through the city.  This information will be updated as the project documents are finalized. Click here to see this trail segment.
  • New Paltz, Ulster County: Beginning in May, contractors will begin constructing a shared-use path along Henry W Dubois Drive where the Empire State Trail is aligned in the Village of New Paltz. The road will be open during this time however trail users may opt to avoid this work by using Main Street through the village. Work is expected to be complete in November, 2024. Click here to see this trail section.
  • 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: The trail will remain closed between Root Rd., east of Gasport, and Carmen Rd., west of Middleport, as NYS Canal Corporation performs ongoing embankment work. Trail users will need to utilize local roads and follow detour signage. Work is expected to last through September, 2024. Click here to see this trail segment. 
  • Schenectady, Schenectady County: Starting May 20, a short detour for the Empire State Trail will be in place at the intersection of Washington Avenue and State Street Schenectady’s Stockade Neighborhood. The temporary detour will direct people off the trail for approximately 300 feet through an adjacent parking lot. Trail users should follow posted  signage.  The work is expected to be complete in early July. 
  • Rochester, Monroe County: Beginning in April, NYS DOT will be conducting a repair to the I-390 overpass between E. Henrietta Rd. and S. Clinton Ave.  The trail will remain open during work however trail users may encounter equipment and vehicles under the bridge or utilizing the trail to access the site. Users should be cautious in this area and follow all signage or flaggers present. Work is expected to be complete at the end of August. Click here to see this trail segment. 
  • Verona, Oneida County: Beginning in June, 2024 the NYS DOT will be replacing the bridge over Oneida Creek in the hamlet of Durhamville. The trail will not be closed for this work however trail users will be travelling within the closed portion of the roadway and may encounter construction vehicles. Trail users should be cautious in this area, follow any detour signage, and watch for any safety flaggers. 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.
  • 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)

  • Fort Edward, Washington County:  Contractors will continue their work adjacent to the Champlain Canalway Trail north of Fort Edward. Construction vehicles will be using a segment of trail to access to their work areas and flaggers will be on site to direct trailway user access.  Trail users are advised to slow down, follow signs and flaggers, and use caution. Users can expect increased traffic volume on Towpath Road during this time as well. Work is expected to be continue through November, 2024. 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.