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The construction of the Erie Canal began in '''''1817''''' and in 1819 the first 15-mile (24 km) section, Rome to Utica opened. As more Irish laborers arrived the pace of construction picked up and overcame significant barriers. For example, during summer construction in a marsh, 1,000 workers died of swamp fever, so survivors were moved to another part of the canal until winter when it was safer to work in the frozen marsh. Sections of the canal opened as follows: | The construction of the Erie Canal began in '''''1817''''' and in 1819 the first 15-mile (24 km) section, Rome to Utica opened. As more Irish laborers arrived the pace of construction picked up and overcame significant barriers. For example, during summer construction in a marsh, 1,000 workers died of swamp fever, so survivors were moved to another part of the canal until winter when it was safer to work in the frozen marsh. Sections of the canal opened as follows: | ||
* 1819 Rome to Utica | |||
* 1820 Utica to Syracuse | |||
* 1823 Brockport to Albany ([[Champlain_Canal]] connecting the Hudson River to Lake Champlain was completed at the same time) | |||
* 1824 Lockport locks | |||
* 1825 Onondago Ridge finishing the entire canal. | |||
The Erie Canal contributed to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State. It increased trade throughout the nation by opening eastern and overseas markets to Midwestern farm products and enabling migration to the West. New ethnic Irish communities formed in towns along the canal, as Irish immigrants were a large portion of labor force involved in its construction.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal Erie Canal] in Wikipedia: ''The Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 15 April 2011).</ref> | The Erie Canal contributed to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State. It increased trade throughout the nation by opening eastern and overseas markets to Midwestern farm products and enabling migration to the West. New ethnic Irish communities formed in towns along the canal, as Irish immigrants were a large portion of labor force involved in its construction.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal Erie Canal] in Wikipedia: ''The Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 15 April 2011).</ref> | ||