On the anniversary of the Erie Canal’s opening, Rep. Louise Slaughter said that high-speed rail can be the next Erie Canal opening Western New York to new trade and economic development opportunities.

“On this date 184 years ago we opened the Erie Canal which over the last century has become a vital transportation artery for Buffalo, Rochester and much of Upstate New York,” said Slaughter. “The economic vitality created by that accessibility is a major reason Western New York became the hub of business, culture and innovation at the turn of the last century. Today we have a new opportunity to build on our proud tradition and make our city more accessible. We can rebuild the Western New York region as a competitive center for economic development and strengthen cross-border trade. Our opportunity comes from high-speed rail.”

On October 26, 1825 the Erie Canal first opened connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and ultimately to the Atlantic Ocean.

Slaughter has been a leader in the fight to bring high-speed rail to Upstate New York having lead meetings with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Congressional leaders, representatives from Governor Paterson’s office, the N.Y. Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, and CSX.

Click here for more information on the Erie Canal.

Click here for more information on Congresswoman Slaughter’s efforts on high-speed rail.