New York State Department of Transportation Division of Waterways Maintenance New York State Barge Canal System Maintenance…

Arranged by contract number.

This series consists of original linen plans and drawings delineating maintenance contracts assigned for the New York State Barge Canal System. After the completion of the Barge Canal System in the mid-1920's appropriations were authorized for the maintenance and operations of the Barge Canal System (Chapter 32, Laws of 1924).

Maintenance contracts are governed by three distinct numbering conventions. Early contracts use a capital "M" followed by the consecutive contract number. These run from 1 to 99 (or, roughly, 1923-1951). Beginning in 1951, "M" is followed by contract year and the consecutive contract number for that year.

Contract maps usually include: a location map or map and title sheet (a map of the state upon which the contract site is delineated by a circle, the contract appropriation is indicated by the applicable law and year, and the contract map is examined, approved, and certified by the Division Engineer, State Engineer, and the Commissioner of Canals and Waterways) and itemized drawings of contract specifications (which include detailed drawings of bridges, dams, gates, and other canal mechanisms).

Additionally, for later contracts the following are often included: detailed contract site maps, indexes to the sheets, itemizations of materials used, and the terms of the final contract (including contractor name, award date, total cost in dollars, regional director, engineer-in-charge, and assistant project engineer). The series primarily consists of contracts M1-M99; also present are M-54-5, M-56-6, M-63-5, M-65-8, M-69-9, and M-70-4. The originals of several contract plans were sent to other agencies, such as the New York Port Authority.

B1768Series B1768, Index to Barge Canal Contracts, Maintenance Contracts, Terminal Contracts, U.S. Contracts, Final Estimates, Structures, and Shop Drawings indexes this series and

B0385Series B0385, Barge Canal Maintenance Contracts, contains related records.

Folder list is available at the repository.

This series was transferred from the Canal Corporation, via the State Museum in February 2001.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.