December 1, 2011
WNY Region Number One in Project Delivery
$2 Million Awarded to the Buffalo-Niagara Consortium
Western New York delivered over 84% of its federallyfunded transportation projects in 2011 which was tops among large metropolitan areas in the state this year. Project delivery is determined when a project reaches its construction stage and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has obligated funding to the project. Out of 11 regions, WNY delivered the highest number of FHWAfunded transportation projects with a total of 74 out of 88 programmed. The Genesee Valley region came in second with 21, followed by the Southern Tier at 17. While the Mohawk Valley region delivered 100% of its projects, it had only 4 projects programmed for the entire year.
The Buffalo Niagara Consortium has been awarded $2 million from the 2011 HUD Sustainable Communities Grant to develop a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development for the Buffalo Niagara region. The region is one of 27 communities, out of 468 applicants, to receive funding.
2011 project highlights for WNY include: • • • • • • • • • • •
Porter Av Phase II, Niagara St – Symphony Circle BNMC Phase I; Ellicott Gateway Cemetery Road Bridge/Erie Rd & NS RR Town of Evans Multi-Use Pathway 10th St, Niagara St – Cedar Av & Cedar Av, Main St – 10th St Rt. 104, Ontario St – NF N. City Line Ewings Rd Bridge/18 Mile Creek Mapleton Rd Bridge/Bull Creek RT 277 (Union Rd); Cazenovia Ck – Rt 400 Ramps Industrial Heritage Trail Enhancement and Tifft St Wharf RT 324; Delaware Rd – Eggert Rd; Amherst and Tonawanda
The chart below shows how all regions in the state performed.
The goal of the grant program is to help communities and regions improve their economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation. The Buffalo Niagara Consortium was led by the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council as lead applicant and includes the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, the University at Buffalo Regional Institute, Erie and Niagara counties, the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Local Initiatives Support Corp. of Buffalo and Belmont Housing Resources for WNY Inc. The group will develop sustainable development strategies, fill key gaps in planning, and set the stage for a more vital future for the Buffalo Niagara Region. Funding will support the creation of a Citizens Planning School to build capacity around sustainability issues and facilitate techniques and hold six regional sustainability visioning sessions. They will work to develop a regional housing plan, a climate change adaptation strategy, and a food access plan.
On reverse side... $1.2 Million Awarded to Evaluate Transportation Alternatives in the Amherst-Buffalo Corridor $3.6 Million for Niagara Street Corridor Project Awarded
GBNRTC-PCC Meeting Schedule
Source: STIP (AS Amended) Performance for FFY 2011, NYSDOT, September 1, 2011
Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council 438 Main St | Buffalo, New York 14202 716-856-2026 | www.gbnrtc.org | staff@gbnrtc.org
December 7 NYSDOT
March 7 Erie County Public Works
January 4 NFTA Board Room
April 4 NYSDOT
February 1 Buffalo City Hall
May 2 Niagara Falls, Carnegie Bldg.
GBNRTC NEWS
December 1, 2011
$1.2 Million Awarded to Evaluate Transportation Alternatives in the Amherst-Buffalo Corridor
$3.6 million for the Niagara Street Corridor Project Awarded
$1.2 million has been awarded to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to evaluate transportation alternatives in the Amherst-Buffalo Corridor. The funding, awarded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Alternatives Analysis program, will be used to identify ways to increase the ease, speed and convenience of commuting in this well-travelled area.
$3.6 million has been awarded to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) for the Niagara Street Corridor Project.
Significant developments at the University of Buffalo, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and private industry are changing the traffic patterns in the Buffalo-Amherst corridor. The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus will soon have over 12,000 employees commuting to their downtown location, with even more students commuting downtown once the University of Buffalo moves their medical school to the same downtown campus. The analysis to be completed with federal funding will ensure that this economic growth is supported by the best transportation options possible.
The Niagara Street Corridor Project includes traffic signal prioritization, design, and construction of a 200 sq-ft neighborhood transit center, a 25-space park-and-ride lot, a public transportation bus loop, bicycle parking and a pedestrian pathway to the existing Seaway Trail System. Funds will also be used to purchase five hybrid buses equipped with traffic signal technology, four new solarpowered bus shelters and next bus notification technology for installation at existing bus shelters. Funding is provided through the Federal Transit Administration’s 2011 Bus Livability Grant program.
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Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council 438 Main St | Buffalo, New York 14202 716-856-2026 | www.gbnrtc.org | staff@gbnrtc.org