More than 50 years ago, the United States and Canada joined together to complete the job nature had begin millions of years ago.

The St. Lawrence Seaway was considered an engineering marvel.

Some called it the greatest project in the history of mankind.

Entire communities had to be moved on both sides of the border. 

The river had to be diverted and dredged. 

A vast system of locks had to be constructed. 

When it was completed, it dramatically altered commerce to and from the hearts of two nations. 

The 2,300-mile waterway allows ocean-going ships to transport goods to and from Great Lakes ports. 

But, has the seaway lived up to its promises? 

7 News will address that question in our special series "The Seaway: Then and Now".

Be sure to join Anne Richter, John Friot and Kevin Torres at 6 and 11 tonight, tomorrow and Thursday.

Also, we're starting a conversation about the Seaway with a blog called, strangely enough, "The Seaway Blog."

Find it here.

And if you want to add your own post or picture or video, send it to us by email at theseawayblog@gmail.com.

Part 1

The notion of a water passage from the Great Lakes to the ocean was an expensive idea to swallow. 

For years, persuasive arguments for a canal system failed to win the complete support of Congress, which was being heavily lobbied by railroad interests. 

Canada was getting impatient and decided to build the seaway without Americans if necessary. 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had been one of the seaway's strongest supporters. 

In a letter to then Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, FDR said, "I know of no single project of this nature more important to this country's future in peace or war."

But, it was not until May of 1954, through a bill called the Wiley Dundero Seaway Act, did the U.S. commit to working with the Canadian government in the construction and operation of a seaway to provide new shipping opportunities and hydroelectric generating capacity.

It would cost $470 million to build the seaway. 

It involved construction of locks, dredging, widening, blasting and flooding. 

The project swallowed up 38,000 acres of land.

On both sides of the river, huge house movers were used to relocate homes, contents and all, several miles away.

Churches, cemeteries, schools, factories, farms and businesses were transplanted. 

Nothing would bar the movement of ships on their journey to North America's fourth coast.

In April 1959, the shakedown started. 

Ships traveled through an elaborate system of canals and locks - carrying goods from North America to the rest of the world.

On June 26, 1959 dedication ceremonies were held in Montreal and were repeated the following morning in Massena.