Western Division Canal

The Western Division of the Pennsylvania Canal was one of the five sections of the Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works. It ran from the Allegheny Portage Railroad in the east into Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the western terminus of the Main Line. Completed in 1831, it was sold to the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1857.

Construction

While legislation was passed on February 25, 1826 to begin construction on the canal, there was much debate on how best to implement the canal in Pittsburgh. If the canal came along the south side of the Allegheny River, it could proceed into the center of Pittsburgh. If it came along the north side, it would end in the borough of Allegheny. The residents of the borough suggested that freight could be drayed across the river once it reached them. The final decision was for the canal to travel along the northern bank, and for an aqueduct to carry boats across the river.

Work on the Western Division started in 1827, beginning with the aqueduct across the Allegheny River to allow the canal to enter downtown Pittsburgh. Once this was done, the canal was constructed out to Freeport. While the work was going on, a further 44 miles was approved out to Blairsville. In 1828, the remaining length out to Johnstown was approved, and this was completed in 1830. The entire canal was 105 miles long, with 68 guard and lift locks. Two canal tunnels were constructed along the route; the at Grant's Hill in Pittsburgh and a second east of Tunnelton on the stretch along the Conemaugh River. A large dam was constructed at Johnstown to create a reservoir to feed the canal. Traffic began to move on the western part of the canal in 1830, and the canal was fully open in 1831.

Ownership by the Railroad

In 1857 the state of Pennsylvania sold the entire Pennsylvania Main Line of Public Works system to the Pennsylvania Railroad. The railroad immediately began looking for ways to shut the system down. The Allegheny Portage Railroad was stripped of all rail by 1858, stopping through traffic on the Main Line. In 1863, the 30 miles of canal between Johnstown and Blairsvill was abandoned. In 1864, the remaining length of canal all the way to Pittsburgh was shut down. With the canal no longer in existence, the Pennsylvania Railroad no longer had any competing lines in or around Pittsburgh, and were able to raise their freight rates.

Remnants Today

The second tunnel near Tunnelton still exists, and a park has been built around it. A nonwatered length of the canal which had a line of the Pennsylvania Railroad placed over it has been turned into Saltsburg Canal Park.

External Links

• American Canal Society (The Pennsylvania Canals Index Page has summaries of the divisions taken from The Amazing Pennsylvania Canals, which it published)