Stone parapets flank your path across the Second Genesee Aqueduct, also known as the Broad Street Aqueduct or Broad Street Bridge. Built between 1836 and 1842, this historic stone aqueduct originally carried the Erie Canal over the Genesee River. The structure you face stretches an overall 800 feet (240 m) long, including its wings and abutments, and is 70 feet (21 m) wide, with large parapets on either side.
It was one of four major aqueducts in the mid-19th century Erie Canal system. In 1927 a roadbed was added across the aqueduct to carry automobile traffic and was named Broad Street; the bridge even carried a part of the Rochester Subway. More recently, in 2018 the city announced a project called Aqueduct Reimagined under the ROC the Riverway initiative.
That proposal envisions removing the automotive road deck to create a pedestrian space and new walkway connections to nearby waterfront pathways. An early idea would partially re-flood the former canal and subway bed on the aqueduct with water, similar to the Canalside project in Buffalo, NY. The re-watering concept won numerous planning accolades, including a prestigious diamond award for outstanding community engagement.
The Aqueduct Reimagined project envisions removing the roadbed to open a pedestrian space along the Genesee River and new waterfront pathways for you.