The journey from Italy to the Capital Region down the Erie Canal to Buffalo is now complete.
The new 266-foot pedestrian bridge that will allow people to walk, run or bike from the city's West Side over the 190 to the new Ralph Wilson Jr. Centennial Park has reached its final destination.
It left the Cimolai Manufacturing site in Italy last month, traveled across the Atlantic Ocean on a single barge, then it was loaded and split up onto two barges near Albany so it could make it down the Erie Canal to where it now calls home.
Officials say the Ralph Wilson Park Bridge will be installed over the 190 this October.
The $110 million Ralph Wilson Jr. Centennial Park transformation is slated to be complete in 2026.
"This will be the best park in the city, possibly the best park in the county, possibly the best park in this part of the state,” said Assemblymember Jon Rivera. “It is an incredible thing to see and without the Ralph Wilson Foundation, none of this would be possible. For years and years and years we sort of went around in this city sort of just excepting whatever might happen happens. But I genuinely believe that we have really turned the corner and really started pushing for the best and the things we deserve in this community."
Officials say the bridge design is creative, stylish and illustrates Buffalo's rich architectural and industrial heritage.