The Erie Canal: Improved Transportation

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Proposed in 1808 and constructed over a period of 17 years, the Erie Canal currently contains 36 locks and was a vital part of America's growth through improved transportation. Its purpose was to connect Lake Erie and the Hudson River so that boats could easily travel over the Appalachian Mountains. Although the original canal was completed in 1825, there have been multiple enlargements and additions built on since then. The numerous locks erected in the canal allow the boats to ascend and descend, step by step, over the rough terrain. The construction of the Erie Canal and its locks certainly was an advance in the lives of Americans and their ability to have access to fresh food.
The Erie Canal connected two large waterways in the north