What important waterway was opened with the erie canal

It was the waterway that connected  Hudson River on the east and Lake Erie at the western end.

Initially, the waterway was intended to granted acess for traders in new york to distribute and obtain goods that come through the atlantic ocean. But because of the budget suddenly become ridiculously overpiced, the building of this cana often referred to as 'Clinton's folley' (De witt Clinton was the name of the man who led the project)