SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A 60,000-pound acrylic panel destined for the shark tank at Syracuse’s new Harborview Aquarium has arrived at the Inner Harbor after traveling from Italy by way of the Erie Canal.
The delivery, coordinated through the New York State Canal Corporation, highlights the continued role of the canal system in commercial shipping more than 200 years after its creation.
“We just had a large piece of acrylic panel that came all the way from Italy, delivered by barge on the Erie Canal to the Inner Harbor for this project,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh. “Today shows that commercial shipping is still viable on the canal.”
The massive panel traveled from Waterford through the canal system, into Onondaga Lake and ultimately to Syracuse’s Inner Harbor. Officials said transporting the oversized structure by water was a more practical option than moving it by road.
Andy Marzo, strategic projects manager for Canal Corporation , said the panel will eventually become part of the facility’s signature shark exhibit.
“Ultimately, the panel will be lifted in through the roof of the building and it will be set down and be used as the panel for the shark tank within the aquarium,” Marzo said.
Project officials said the size and weight of the acrylic panel made overland transportation difficult, making the Erie Canal an ideal route for the shipment.