More cars on Main Street, turning Rt. 198 into a Boulevard, a and investigating a possible covered Rt. 33 – these are the big transportation projects for WNY in this year’s state budget.
Governor Andrew Cuomo was in Western New York on Wednesday to talk about the $112.4 million earmarked for four major transportation projects in our area.
One of those projects is $30 million to continue to turn the Scajaquada Expressway in the Scajaquada Boulevard.
The move comes after a fatal accident claimed the life of a 3-year-old boy in May 2015. Since then, the speed limit has been lowered to 30 mph, lanes have been narrowed and guardrails were installed.
Coming changes include more temporary signs, narrowing lanes on the east end, and rumble strips on the west end. Major work will begin in 2018.
The state is adding $4 million to the federal government’s $18.3 million to return cars to Main Street in Buffalo between Exchange and Scott streets.
The NFTA is getting more than $50 million to improve its bus and rail service, including renovating the DL&W terminal next to First Niagara Center.
And one of the surprising projects coming to WNY is $6 million for the DOT to study the possibility of covering up Rt. 33 to turn Humboldt Parkway back into a tree-lined boulevard, just as it was designed to be by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Finally, $4.4 million is going to the Allegany, Niagara Falls and Midway state parks for wetland and beach improvements.
