Power Authority Awards $3.5M For Niagara Gorge Project

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced $3.5 million has been awarded for the final design for the Niagara Gorge Project.

The project will replace two miles of expressway along the Niagara Scenic Parkway with a scenic trail network and a smaller road to enhance access to the waterfront. It will enable new recreation opportunities including scenic overlooks and trails for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing.

The $3.5 million was approved by the New York Power Authority trustees. Removal of the expressway is expected to start in early 2018 and take about two years.

Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the U.S. and sees about 8 million visitors a year.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]