“Washington also championed the Kanawha canal project.”
For a southern route. The James is in the south of Virginia. A canal there connects to the west but it’s not very close to the Northwest Territory.
“A turnpike wasn’t a disqualification “
It defeats the advantage of boats and barges being able to efficiently carry much heavier loads than pack animals. A turnpike as part of a canal system requires pack animals and the unloading and reloading of shipments.
The Erie didn’t require portage and was more efficient.
Building the Erie Canal wa no piece of cake...
“The press often derided the project as “Clinton’s Folly.” In 1822, controversy over the canal project led to Clinton’s defeat in the gubernatorial race. Two years later, he was removed from the very Canal Board he himself had created.”
https://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_a035db62-59c0-5fc4-b707-e9a4066dc2d5.html
Southerners had an advantage of slave labor, but there just was no incentive for their capitslists.