Crossword Genius

Route that keeps close to a stream of traffic (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

towpath

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'route that keeps close to a stream of traffic' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'route that keeps close to' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'route' could be 'path' (synonyms) and 'path' is present in the answer.
'to' is present in the answer.
A single letter 'w' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for towpath that I've seen before include "Canalside track" , "Track by waterway" , "that runs along bank" , "22 by canal" , "Track once used to pull barges on canals" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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