Why was the Blackstone Canal built and why did it ultimately fail? How can we apply this historical understanding to current policy decisions on transportation? Background The Blackstone Canal, a 45 mile waterway linking Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island, was a powerful catalyst for economic change and growth, stimulating the "transportation revolution" which was at the center of Worcester's transformation from a landlocked agrarian outpost to a center of commercial activity. The arrival of the Blackstone Canal began a tradition of innovation and enterprise that continues to Duration: 60 Minutes.