The road construction season in Buffalo has begun. In order to show that they are serious about the problematic road surfaces throughout the city, Mayor Brown held a press conference to discuss the strategy to address the pothole crisis. The mayor was joined by University District Council Member Rasheed Wyatt, State Assembly Member Crystal Peoples Stokes and State Senator Tim Kennedy, who echoed the Mayor’s sentiments regarding the swift action that residents would soon see.
Along with fixing up the pothole-riddled streets, the Mayor pointed out a number of infrastructure projects that are also underway, as part of the City of Buffalo 2015 Infrastructure Improvement plan. The plan consists of:
- 79 residential streets citywide
- A total of $9 million in improvements
- $1 million street redevelopment project on Kensington Avenue (250k capital budget allocation by Council Member Wyatt, $750k State CHIPS funds)
“A well-maintained city leads to happy, healthy residents and today’s kickoff to the 2015 construction season marks another major investment that will help continue the rebirth of Buffalo, while ensuring that all of our residents share in the prosperity of our city,” said Mayor Brown. “Enhancing our roadways citywide plays a major role in strengthening our economy while helping to further beautify Buffalo.”
“Maintaining our local roads is a true partnership on every level of government, and as we kick off the 2015 construction season in Buffalo, that couldn’t be more evident,” added Senator Tim Kennedy. “A recent study showed nearly six out of every seven miles of road in New York State is maintained by counties and municipalities; we must ensure that they have the proper resources to repair and enhance our roads. Local infrastructure investment is the lifeblood to our economy, and I believe the state’s role in this project is reflective of that.”
Six major roadway construction projects that are currently underway, or will soon be underway, are as follows:
- Kenmore Avenue – $5.5 million federally funded reconstruction project will begin this year, covering the remaining 0.94-mile stretch of Kenmore Avenue between Main St. and the railroad tracks near Fairfield. (The city and county will contribute $550,000 each to this final phase.)
- Niagara Street – (S. Elmwood to Virginia) – $2.2 million repavement/resurfacing project is now underway.
- Ohio Street – Work will conclude this season on the $11.3 million Ohio Street redevelopment project; the street is now operational and nearly complete.
- Pearl Street Two Way Conversion – $2.5 million Pearl Street two-way conversion project is designed to improve pedestrian and vehicular between Main/Goodell and Seneca streets.
- West Ferry Street -$7.92 Million Project Provides Enhanced Connection to Improvements Underway on Niagara Street & Squaw Island