Built between 1828 and 1856, the North Branch Canal was part of a large transportation network that included Pennsylvania's Main Line of Public Works.

In 1834, a project called the Wyoming Extension increased the canal's length by 17 miles (27 km) past Wilkes-Barre to Pittston.

A final extension of 97 miles (156 km) from Pittston to the New York state line was started in 1836 and finished in 1856.

Through these connections, boats using the Pennsylvania Canal system were able to travel as far as Buffalo and Lake Champlain.

Cost overruns, waning enthusiasm for canals, and funding delays led to abandonment of the project in 1872, after most of the work on the northern 30 miles (48 km) of the line had been completed.