The office of Superintendent of Public Works was created by an 1876 amendment to the
New York State Constitution. It abolished the
canal commissioners and established that the Department of Public Works execute all laws relating to canal maintenance and navigation except for those functions performed by the
New York State Engineer and Surveyor who continued to prepare maps, plans and estimates for canal construction and improvement. The Canal Board (now consisting of the Superintendent of Public Works, the State Engineer and Surveyor, and the Commissioners of the Canal Fund) continued to handle hiring of employees and other personnel matters. The
Barge Canal Law of 1903 (Chapter 147) directed the Canal Board to oversee the enlargement of and improvements to the
Erie Canal, the
Champlain Canal and the
Oswego Canal.[1] In 1967, the Department of Public Works was merged with other departments into the new
New York State Department of Transportation.
List of superintendents of public works
George B. McClellan (1826–1885) nominated March 16, 1877 by Gov. Robinson;[2] rejected by the State Senate
Charles S. Fairchild nominated January 4, 1878 by Gov. Robinson;[3] rejected by the State Senate on January 16, 1878 [4]
Daniel Magone nominated January 18, 1878, by Gov. Robinson;[5] rejected by State Senate January 23, 1878[6]
Benjamin S. W. Clark (1829–1912) nominated January 23, confirmed January 30, 1878 - January 15, 1880 [7]
^[11] Obit in NYT on June 12, 1943 (subscription required)
^[12] Appointed and confirmed, NYT on March 31, 1939 (subscription required)
^[13] Obit in NYT on January 27, 1978 (subscription required)
^[14] Appointed, in NYT on May 21, 1943 (subscription required)
^[15] resigantion announced, in NYT on September 3, 1948 (subscription required)
^Alfonso A. Narvaez (September 19, 1989).
"Bertram D. Tallamy, 87, Official For U.S. and New York Highways". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-11-14. Bertram Dalley Tallamy, an engineer who supervised billions of dollars in highway construction for the Federal Government and for New York State, died of kidney failure Thursday at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington. He was 87 years old and lived in Washington. ...
^[16] Nominated, in NYT on September 4, 1948 (subscription required)