The Brockport pedestrian bridge completed construction in June, connecting the SUNY Brockport campus to the Erie Canal walking path.  

A project five years in the making, officials from SUNY Brockport, New York State and the village of Brockport all collaborated in the opening of the bridge just a few months ago.  

The bridge connects to the north side of the canal, which leads to the village, making walking in Brockport more efficient.  

SUNY Brockport senior Abby Decillis is a fan and avid user of the bridge.  

“I like it! I honestly didn’t have much knowledge about it because I lived on the other side of the canal near Grinds [cafe], but I had friends who told me about it, so once it opened up, I used it to run over to the campus side of Brockport and found it super convenient,” Decillis said.  

The nicer weather during the summer months proved to be a great time to use the bridge.  

“I used it a lot more over the summer, I’d say I used it about 10 or so times. I think I’ve only used it once since classes have started,” Decillis said.  

Meanwhile, SUNY Brockport sophomore Myiah Garcia had no knowledge of the bridge’s existence until she was just recently informed of it.  

“I’ve only seen the bridge under repair on Main Street, I don’t believe I’ve seen the other one, I’ll have to check it out sometime,” Garcia said.  

The pedestrian bridge is part of a multimillion-dollar “reimagine canals” initiative that includes updating SUNY Brockport’s campus and the Erie Canal. The goal of the initiative is to increase tourism around the historic canal and look into opportunities at bettering the surrounding ecosystems and economic development.  

Stakeholders in New York are hopeful that this completed project will encourage students and faculty to be more active outside.