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 September 27, 2024.
Hudson Valley Section (New York City to Albany)
- Manhattan-New York City: NYC Parks Department has closed the Cherry Walk Greenway section in Riverside Park between W 100 St. and St. Clair Place for repairs. The closure will take effect on September 23 and continue through March, 2025. Trail users should utilize a detour on Riverside Drive during construction. Click here for more details from NYC Parks. Click here to see this trail segment.
- Manhattan-New York City: NYC Parks Department has closed 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 closure. This webpage will be updated with more information when available.
- 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)
- Palmyra, Wayne County: Beginning Monday, September 30, NYS Canal Corporation will close a portion of the Erie Canalway Trail near Swift’s Landing for bridge and trail repairs. Once completed, trail users will see new bridge decking and fresh trail surfacing east of the bridges. During this time, trail users will need to follow the on-road detour to the north between State Route 21 and East Palmyra-Port Gibson Road. Work is expected to be completed early December. Click here to see information from Canal Corp. Click Here to see this trail segment.
- 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.
- 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.