The City of Buffalo has procured a grant in the amount of $182,000 from the Niagara International Transportation Technology Coalition (NITTEC) that will help to speed things along on Niagara Street. The reconstruction of Niagara Street, with many Complete Street features on the way, will bring a refreshing quality of life to the roadway, from Niagara Square to Ontario Street.
As with any street in Buffalo that suffers from poorly times traffic signals, a trip down Niagara Street can take twice as long as it should, due to the nature of the ill-timed traffic lights (and nasty potholes). Thanks to the NITTEC grant funding, that’s about to change. The funds will go toward purchasing 26 traffic signal controllers that will be bundled with bus priority technology. It is said that the initiative will set a precedent for reconstructed road corridors moving forward.
“Strong infrastructure is critical to Buffalo’s economy and quality of life and funds from this grant will enable us to put in plan an advanced coordinated traffic signal system designed to improve traffic flow and significantly improve bus travel times,” said Mayor Brown. “I look forward to partnering with NITTEC and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority on this important project as we position Niagara Street as an attractive anchor for city residents, business leaders and visitors to get in and out of downtown Buffalo.”
“This initiative is a great collaborative effort using technology to improve mobility and reliability for commuters, businesses and transit riders,” said NITTEC Executive Director Athena Hutchins.” This project is the first in the region to incorporate bus priority technology and will be used as a model for future corridors.”
Kimberley A. Minkel, NFTA Executive Director said, “As we move forward with plans for a High Quality Transit Corridor on Niagara Street, these traffic controllers will dramatically improve the efficiency and productivity of our Metro buses and significantly improve air quality, as wait times at traffic signals will be greatly reduced.”
The announcement of the addition of new traffic signal controllers and bus priority technology adds to the momentum of the $16.3 million infrastructure improvement project, which includes:
- Phase I: City of Buffalo, Niagara Street Gateway (Virginia Street to S. Elmwood Ave.) – $2.8 million project to develop a gateway entrance from Carolina Street to the Buffalo downtown urban core. Completion in 2015.
- Phase II: City of Buffalo, Niagara Street (Virginia Street to Porter Avenue) – $2.5 million for mill and overlay, a new striping pattern; new LED street lighting, sidewalks, green infrastructure, traffic signals and new ADA ramps…complete streets design and implementation. Start in 2015 Complete in 2016.
- Phase III: specific intersection improvements at the Niagara/Ferry Street Intersection at Rich Products –construction 2016.
- Phase IV: City of Buffalo, Niagara Street (Porter Avenue to Ontario Street) – $7 million Federal/NYSDOT funding for mill and overlay, a new striping pattern, new LED street lighting, sidewalks, green infrastructure, traffic signals and new ADA ramps…complete streets design and implementation. Design will begin in 2015 and; construction starting in 2017 and finishing in 2018.
Above images: Bergmann Associates