Good News York | Episode 160 | Feat. Ben Walsh, Director of the NYS Canal Corporation
In this episode of Good News York, host Matt Masur sits down with Ben Walsh — former two-term mayor of Syracuse and the newly appointed Director of the New York State Canal Corporation — for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most underappreciated pieces of infrastructure in the entire country.
Most people know the Erie Canal from a fourth-grade history lesson, but few realize that New York’s canal system is very much alive and thriving today. Ben pulls back the curtain on an organization that oversees 524 miles of navigable waterway, 57 locks, 16 lift bridges, and a trail network stretching from Albany to Buffalo — making it the largest state-run inland waterway system in the United States. The system is made up of not one, but four canals: the Erie, the Champlain, the Seneca, and the Oswego.
Ben shares what drew him to the role after eight years leading the city of Syracuse, why he believes water has always been central to both his personal life and the identity of upstate New York, and what the Canal Corporation is doing to attract new users — from recreational boaters and kayakers to cyclists and trail hikers. He also opens up about the challenges ahead, including billions of dollars in deferred maintenance and the question of what viability looks like as the canal system enters its third century of operation.
Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome & Introduction
1:02 – Ben Walsh’s Background & Path to Public Service
4:55 – What Is the New York State Canal Corporation?
10:01 – Ben’s Day-to-Day Role as Director
10:43 – Canal Craft: The Unique Workforce Behind the System
15:54 – Upcoming Events for the 2025 Navigation Season
18:35 – Hidden Gems in Syracuse
This episode is sponsored by Ads on the Go — helping businesses get noticed with smart, effective advertising solutions. Learn more at www.getadsonthego.com.
Find all episodes and more at www.goodnewsyork.com
Video production by Click Stream Studios — www.ClickStreamStudios.com
