Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Board Meets with Buffalo DPW, October 2021

Virginia Street from Main to Ellicott

This project widened the sidewalks on Virginia and Burton and created a one-way on Virginia between Washington and Ellicott for cars with a two-way for bikes. All that remains is getting light poles installed on Burton, expected in October 2021.

Fillmore Ave between E Ferry and Kensington

The Bike Ped Board wrote a letter to the city about the importance of this and it did get done! This stretch was repaved with fresh stripes for bike lanes on the shoulders.

Some exciting updates:

We’ve been advocating for some projects for some time, and to the city’s credit, they are giving them the proper publicity, attention, and seeking the public’s input.

Middle Main

Main Street from Goodell to Ferry has been in need of attention for a long time. It’s a speedway. And the city is seeking the public’s input on how it should be redesigned. Businesses have had a voice and so have residents and folks who walk, bike or drive. If you have not yet, take the survey they’ve offered about whether to create a protected 2-way cycle track, or to divide the lanes, both protected on each shoulder. (We like the division because as driveways are crossed, drivers will be looking left at approaching cyclists before they turn, which increases everyone’s safety.

Main & Humboldt & Kensington Intersection

This has notoriously been a dangerous intersection for pedestrians, contributing to the divide between neighborhoods and communities that Rt 33 and Rt 198 create. Construction has already begun as of October 3 to make intersections easier for pedestrians to navigate and to slow down some cars.

Some Puzzlers

Lincoln, Chapin, and Memorial Drive Bike Lanes

When repaved a couple years ago, Buffalo’s DPW had signed off on adding bike lanes, but the striping has not yet occurred. Now, these projects have taken an additional step backward as DPW now says they have not identified funding to stripe these streets, which are each some beautiful avenues to bike along.

What else is going on? PLENTY!

Niagara Street Phase III – Hampshire to Forest

Nearly complete. Majority of green paint in conflict zones is down. Signal testing continues. This route is to be plowed in the winter and that’s why there are no permanent bollards to keep cars from driving through it or parking it. There’s also currently no law in the city that prohibits a car from parking in a bike lane. We’re working to see that change and you can call your city council member to advocate, too.
For next season GObike continues to offer to install temporary delineators where the path crosses driveways. These would be removed in the winter, and would otherwise help to keep these paths free of cars. The city is considering it.
Riding this path, or any path in the city, and frustrated by glass, debris, or trash? You’ve got to call 311. This is a large city with hundreds of miles of roads and pathways. The more 311 calls received, the more likely it will be cleaned up.

Niagara Street Phase IV – A – Forest to Hertel

Construction of the cycle track and narrowing of the road is currently underway, and should be complete by end of 2022’s construction season.

Lower Main – Scott to Exchange Street

Construction is ongoing today, and by the end of 2021, substantial completion is expected.

Clinton Street – Pine to Jefferson

Final striping and signal pole repair to be completed by EOY 2021.

Walden Avenue – Genesee to Sycamore

Virtually complete. Some “punch list items” remain on DPW’s radar.

Entertainment District – Chippewa/Franklin/Court

Chippewa and Franklin will be completed in 2021. In 2022, the “punch list items” from the DPW on those streets, and all of Court Street’s work will be completed.

Abbott Road Phase 1 – Southside to Meridan

A repave is planned to kickoff this month, October 2021.

S. Ogden Bridge Replacement over Buffalo River (north of Mineral Springs)

Construction is under contract. Will begin in construction season kickoff 2022.

Ohio Street Lift Bridge Rehab over Buffalo River (north of Ganson Street)

Construction ongoing. The reroute that cars and cyclists have had to take to get to Outer Harbor, Ganson Street, will not be added to city-wide paving list until AFTER bridge is complete.

Dewey Ave. Bridge Replacement over CSX (at Canton Alley)

Construction is under contract and should commence before the end of 2021.

South Park Loop Bridge Replacement (Park Dr. Ring Road)

This project is currently in the design stage.

Allen St Phase 2 – Delaware to Wadsworth

This fall, utility work should begin on this street.

Jefferson Complete Street – Phases 1-3; Utica to Main

A redesign for this street is currently in the design stage.

Both of these projects are currently in the Planning stage (Prior to Design).