BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Freeways Without Futures' report this week, which recommended a redesign of the Kensington and Scajaquada Expressways, has us wondering about the future of the major state roadways that go through the City of Buffalo.
For decades, there have been complaints about Route 33, with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown explaining that the road served as a racial divide in the 50's and 60's.
"It bisected the community and it did exacerbate the racial divide in the community East and West of Main Street," Brown said. "The installation of the 33 did contribute to that. It reduced property values on the east side of the community with the way it bisected the community. Many people would like to see that in equity addressed. They'd like to see money allocated to deck it over and to restore the community that was separated."
Brown said the effects are still felt today but are slowly starting to change because of an increase in property values on the east side. However, Brown said they still lag behind property values west of Main Street.
Stokes said that anything is possible and that the state's goal is to get Route 33 on the five-year capital plan for the next DOT projects.
"Once we've got that done, we can look back and look around and see how we're connecting the 198 and see how we can restore these communities back together," Stokes said.
Brown said a significant amount of money would be needed to address Route 33 and would like to see the federal and state government address it. However, he noted that this project is not at the top of his list of projects he wants to advocate for and that he'd rather see money be directly invested into Buffalo's east side."
