 The construction of the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad ("vide infra") placed Columbia on the route from Philadelphia into the western parts of the state, via the canal.The Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal to Baltimore was ultimately opened in 1840 on the west side of the river, canal boats crossing at Columbia to reach the Pennsylvania Canal.By this time, the Conestoga Navigation was already in financial difficulties, and was sold to the Lancaster & Susquehanna Slack-water Navigation Company.