N.Y. Canal Law § 68: Bridges spanning canal channels

§ 68. Bridges spanning canal channels. 1. When a bridge spanning the

Oswego canal or that portion of the Erie canal between the Hudson river

and its junction with the Oswego canal, is to be reconstructed, or a new

bridge is to be built over such sections of the canal system, such

reconstructed or new bridge shall be so built as to provide a clear

passageway between the bottom clearance line of the bridge, if of the

fixed type, or the bottom clearance line when raised, if of the movable

type, and the surface of the water at its highest navigable stage of not

less than twenty feet. When a bridge spanning the Champlain canal, the

Cayuga and Seneca canals, or that portion of the Erie canal westerly of

Three Rivers is to be reconstructed or a new bridge is to be built over

such sections of the canal system, such reconstructed or new bridge

shall be so built as to provide a clear passageway between the bottom

clearance line of the bridge, if of the fixed type, or the bottom

clearance line when raised, if of the movable type, and the surface of

the water at its highest navigable stage, of not less than fifteen and

one-half feet. The commissioner of transportation may, however, if in

his judgment the additional cost is not unreasonable, require that such

bridges be reconstructed or constructed to provide a clearance of not

less than twenty feet or that the substructure of such bridge be so

constructed that the superstructure may be raised to provide a clearance

of twenty feet without rebuilding the foundation of said substructure.

2. The provisions of subdivision one of this section shall not apply

to the reconstruction of the State Street bridge, Seneca Street bridge

and the Buffalo Street bridge, all over the Cayuga inlet in the city of

Ithaca, county of Tompkins.