The New York State Department of Transportation is hosting a public hearing on converting the Scajaquada Expressway into a lower-speed boulevard.
They are giving the community a final chance to weigh in on their current plans to redesign the 198.
The state plans to spend close to $100-million dollars on this project. N.Y.D.O.T will add a round-about near Buffalo State College, new pedestrian crossings, and new landscape. However, critics say that’s not enough.
“They are designing roads that are too big and the safety concern is of great concerns for us pedestrians and bicyclists and it’s not the character of the neighborhood it’s adjoint to,” Michael DeLuca said.
Michael DeLuca is a spokesperson for at least six community groups, including the Parkside Community Association and Parents For A Safe Delaware Park. All of them are pushing for a more community and pedestrian friendly design.
“And the current design still falls short of that,” DeLuca said.
The groups he represents don’t think the design meet the transformational vision of Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The changes to Rt-198 would only apply to a 2.2-mile stretch from Grant Street to Parkside Avenue.
This project comes nearly two years after a three-year-old boy was killed, after a drowsy driver left the highway and hit the toddler. Just days later, the governor cut the speed on the 198 from 50 miles an hour to 30 miles an hour.
The D.O.T is hoping to have this project finished by fall of 2018.
The meeting will be Wednesday, January 25th at 5:30pm inside the auditorium at Frederick Law Olmsted Public School (64), 874 Amherst Street. Staff will be available to discuss project and answer questions beginning at 4:30pm. Project details can be found on the project web site at www.dot.ny.gov/scajaquadacorridor
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