Cars drove down the 500 block of Main Street for the first time in decades on Tuesday.
After several delays of the project originally anticipating a 2014 completion, that part of the street opened to great fanfare.
Big day for #Buffalo--Cars will be driving down the 500 block of Main St. for the first time in decades @WKBW pic.twitter.com/ZLPGTadcA9
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 15, 2015
The section reopening stretches from Chippewa Street to Mohawk Street extending past the Hyatt Regency and Electric Tower. Construction started in 2013 and cost an estimated $21 million.
The 500 block concludes the three phase project converting the 500, 600 and 700 blocks of Main Street into a shared roadway, making room for cars to drive and in some spots even park when the NFTA Metro Rail is not running.
Pedestrians will also notice new metro stations and expanded sidewalks.
The next part of the project is Lower Main Street, followed by the 400 block, then the rest of Main Street. It will cost an estimated $84 million. The city has already secured $18 million.
But with businesses beginning to flourish, that money may come sooner rather than later.
"This neighborhood is transitioning quickly," - Joe Incao, owner of Furnishings on Main @WKBW @JeffRussoWKBW pic.twitter.com/2QZ3fV5LSO
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 15, 2015
"Today the transformation of Buffalo takes another step forward," said Mayor Byron Brown. "Retails, residences and businesses are coming back to Buffalo in a major way."
Mayor Brown officially cuts ribbon and opens the 500 block of Main Street #Buffalo .@WKBW pic.twitter.com/jm7eFkDpBV
— Jeff Russo (@JeffRussoWKBW) December 15, 2015
Stay in Touch Anywhere, Anytime with News, Weather and Video -- Download the WKBW app:
Or Sign Up for Our Newsletters -- Delivered to Your E-mail:
