$6M Highway safety improvement projects coming to Buffalo area

New York State officials say pedestrian accidents are on the rise. Just recently, more than $100M was dedicated for pedestrian infrastructure upgrades across the state. Another $100M will be going towards highway improvements projects too. Three of those projects will happen right here in the Buffalo area.

Susan Surdej, Assistant to the Regional Director and Public Information Officer with the regional NYS Department of Transportation office, said, “Anytime there’s additional funding and we have the opportunity to do more construction, you know that’s a great thing especially for Western New York.”

Almost $6M in Highway Safety Improvement Projects will bring upgrades to Orchard Park, Hamburg and Wheatfield. The projects were selected in order to have the greatest possible impact on reducing crashes and saving lives.

$1.1M for a two way turn lane on Southwestern Boulevard between Amsdell and Pleasant Ave.

$1.9M for a traffic signal on Route 179 at Milestrip Road and California Road and a left turn lane

$1.8M for a left turn lane on Niagara Falls Boulevard and Ward Road in Wheatfield.

Surdej said, “These projects will go into preliminary design and will be developed. But there is funding to make this possible under this new money.”

Also on the DOT’s radar, is Governor Cuomo’s $110 million dollar Pedestrian Safety Plan. The initiative will be spread out of a 5 year span, giving workers time to study, analyze, and design pedestrian infrastructure upgrades.

Surdej said, “The dot is really leading the charge on engineering, we are going to be looking at crosswalks, and signalized intersections, and identifying areas that we can improve pavement markings, signage, perhaps put in high visibility pavement markings and identifying projects to do that.”

The initiative will also highlight education, and stepped-up enforcement on drivers and pedestrians.