BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)......KeyBank Center and the DLW Terminal will soon be welcoming a new neighbor.
In what is considered a construction milestone, the steel frame for the 200-foot-long elevated pedestrian bridge that will connect the DLW Terminal with KeyBank Center is being put into place. The bridge hovers above South Park Avenue.
"There is a psychological lift now that you can see the steel frame," said Darren Kempner, NFTA vice president.
Kempner said the project is on schedule with the bridge due to open by spring.
"We've had no construction issues," Kempner said. "Our goal is to have every ready for when the Sabres and Bandits begin their playoff runs."
Constructing the bridge is part of a larger NFTA project that will see the second floor of the iconic and historic DLW Terminal brought back to life after sitting largely vacant and under-utilized for the better part of six decades.
The renovation project included building the $60 million DLW Terminal Metro Rail station that debuted last December.
Other development plans for the second floor are under consideration while the NFTA is also building a new walkway on the DLW Terminal' south side that will give pedestrians a picturesque view of the Buffalo River heading towards Ohio Street and Michigan Avenue.
An outdoor plaza opened earlier this month.
But, the pedestrian bridge - an $8 million investment by the NFTA - may be one of the most visible signs connected to the entire DLW Terminal project.
"It will help turn the DLW into a very lively place," said Steve Carmina, a prominent local architect and Buffalo Place Inc. chairman "This has been a long time in coming."
The bridge, being construction by Mark Cerrone Inc., will go from the second floor of the DLW Terminal across South Park Avenue and into the 100 level of KeyBank Center.
What it means is that people headed to the downtown arena can, potentially, not have to wear an overcoat as the Metro Rail station and bridge offer a weather-protected way into KeyBank Center.
"Just seeing the steel frame going up is excitng," Carmina said.
South Park Avenue pedestrian bridge on pace to open this spring
South Park Avenue pedestrian bridge on pace to open this spring
