This neighborhood was definitely receptive to the idea. I think what is so exciting is that these projects are more than just restoring the locks. We want to be able to let our residents, students and visitors experience the beauty of a fully watered canal. Conti said the ultimate goal is to have the entire canal length, more 60 miles, completely operational by next summer. The only reason we wouldn't be able to do that is construction delays and acts of mother nature.
Water still flows in the New Hope portion of the canal for tourists and locals to enjoy.
Staff photo by Glan Luis Conti said the state government has recognized the importance of the canal for the economy and tourist trade in places like New Hope and other river communities in Bucks County. It's fun to' work on a project like this that goes from the community level all the way up to the governor's office. We've had inquiries as far away as Europe from people who want to study what we are doing here. Taylor said to restore the canal at Smithtown, the bulkhead project will have to be completed and a small dam will have to be built just short of the Tohickon Aqueduct in Point Pleasant - a part of the canal system meant to carry water the Tohickon Creek. In the case of the aqueduct, it hasn't carried water for about eight years, Taylor said.