State to spend $25 million to rebuild lock O-7 on Oswego Canal

OSWEGO, N.Y. — New York has plans for a $25 million project to reconstruct a “critical” lock along the Oswego Canal that was built in the early 20th century.

They will “substantially” rebuild lock O-7 “to ensure its stability, safety and operational consistency for another 100 years,” the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a news release issued Friday.

Lock O-7 is located near the Oswego Canal’s entrance from Lake Ontario.

The state-funded rehabilitation of Lock O-7 is scheduled to begin in November. The project will include construction of a new lock house and lock operator shelters, installation of a cofferdam and rock anchors, refaced lock walls and approach walls, and the refurbishing of operating machinery.

The board of directors of the New York State Canal Corporation this year approved the funding for the project.

The state expects crews will finish the work by 2020. It has been scheduled to avoid interruptions to the navigation season, “ensuring the lock will be operable for boaters,” Cuomo’s office said.

This year’s navigation season ended Oct. 11.

“Public safety is priority number one … and by investing in the resiliency of lock O-7, we can help ensure Oswego residents and visitors remain safe while visiting one of New York’s great historic treasures,” Cuomo contended. “This investment will ensure the lock is built better and stronger than ever before, while providing boaters a seamless experience on the canal for decades to come.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com