It looks like East Buffalo will finally be once again connected to downtown, without the headaches of potholes and a more walk and bike-friendly roadway. 

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Buffalo To Recieve $25 Million In Federal Funding

U.S. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that $25 million dollars have been secured for downtown Buffalo through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. 

The RAISE program, initially created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, was created to help communities around the US with infrastructure projects with significant local or regional significance using federal funding. Now, it looks like the city of Buffalo will be seeing some of that impact. 

“Buffalo, put on your hard hats because Main Street just moved into the fast lane for a $25 million transportation transformation that will improve the Main Street corridor for walkers, bikers, and drivers. Our infrastructure should connect, not divide the city, and I am proud to secure this competitive federal grant funding to finally pave over this problem to create a safe, walkable, bikeable street that works for all Buffalonians." - Senator Schumer

Mayor Byron Brown added, “This $25 Million investment will revitalize Middle Main Street and make it a modern, multimodal gateway that will connect East Buffalo to our downtown core. This is exciting news for the City of Buffalo, the businesses along Main Street, our drivers, pedestrians, bikes, and all who utilize public transit.”

How This $25 Million Will Be Spent

The intent of the grant is to fully fund Buffalo’s Main Street BEAMS (Building Equity and Assuring Mobility) project, with the goal of revitalizing the 2.5-mile corridor of Main Street, connecting East Buffalo to the downtown area through a more walkable and modern street.

Specifically, this money will be spent on:

  • Repaving and repairing the pothole problems between Goodell Street and Kensington Avenue, allowing for a new, safer traffic design.
  • Adding new crosswalks and curbs with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant ramps and signal infrastructure.
  • Creating raised accessible bike lanes with barriers to prevent accidents.
  • Improving the look of the roadway with benches, bike racks, signage, LED lighting, and green space.
  • Showcasing local artists and artisans with commissioned works meant to highlight Buffalo’s rich cultural heritages. 

There is no word yet when construction is due to begin on the project.

Although controversial to many Buffalonians, to the Buffalo commuters who deal with the headaches of the crumbling roadway around the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, this will be a relief. 

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Gallery Credit: Dave Fields

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