Sinkhole Ties up Canal Traffic
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: July 31, 2012
Traffic is backed up on the Erie Canal after a sinkhole in Albion. The 16-foot deep sinkhole is now filled up.
Canal officials have a new obstacle on their hands. They must drain a section of the Erie Canal to see if there is additional damage.
The New York State Thruway Authority is in charge of the canal. They say Monday night's canal leak created several sinkholes. One caused a section of Albion Eagle Harbor Road to cave in. The lock gates between Holley and Albion are closed to drain the canal. The walls are stable, but they want to check for damage.
That means boaters are tied up. John Foltz will dock in Brockport until the problem is fixed.
"It's going to affect us. We will have to revise our plans, but you can't have a sinkhole in the middle of the canal," said Foltz.
Foltz and his wife are from Central Pennsylvania and often cruise the canal at a leisurely pace.
Don Jarmusz doesn't have as much time. He lives in Buffalo and needs to get home.
"We went two weeks towards Seneca Lake and we are on our way back and I guess we are stranded," said Jarmusz.
Don hopes to leave tomorrow, but for now, he will take advantage of the unexpected delay in Brockport.
"We will sit here on the boat. We will go and enjoy the town, maybe catch a movie, go out to dinner and have a good time," said Jarmusz.
Canal officials say it will take one or two days for the canal to drain.
