Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The South Buffalo community is set to receive nearly $7 million of infrastructure money that will go towards Phase 2 of a multiphase reconstruction of Abbott Road.
"Today, we recognize this major project along an extraordinary and historic thoroughfare in the heart of the South Buffalo neighborhood, and in the heart of the great City of Buffalo," said State Senator Tim Kennedy, who was on-hand for Wednesday's announcement.
It was announced that a total of $6.97 million in additional funding will go towards infrastructure improvements along Abbott Road.
"We have the city, the state and the federal levels of government that are delivering on a $7 million commitment to refurbish Abbott Road, the next phase of the re-development of Abbott Road from Meriden to Dorrance Avenue at the city line," Senator Kennedy explained.
Also among those on-hand for Wednesday's announcement included State Senator Tim Kennedy, Congressman Brian Higgins, Buffalo Common Councilman Chris Scanlon and Buffalo Commissioner of Public Works Mike Finn.
The first phase of this streetscape improvement project was completed in November of 2021, which totaled nearly $4 million and covered the stretch of road from Abbott Road to Meriden Avenue.
The funding for this project is coming through the five-year capital plan that the New York State Department of Transportation worked closely with Senator Kennedy, Gov. Kathy Hochul and other partners at the state level to ensure the City of Buffalo got its fair share of resources.
"The historic nature of this five-year capital plan, a $32.8 billion investment, was only made possible by the work of Congressman Higgins and our partners at the federal level that passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill, over $1.2 trillion nationwide," Senator Kennedy said. "[There are] many benefits to the State of New York, over $2 billion coming to the State of New York. It allows us to do projects like this $7 million project along Abbott Road."
This upcoming phase in the project will include new asphalt pavement, complete replacement of sidewalks, curbs and underdrains, new curb ramps and drainage improvements, new signs and pavement markings, curb extensions, new traffic signals and other various streetscape amenities on the stretch of Abbott Road from Meriden Avenue to Dorrance Avenue.
This particular section of Abbott Road is one of the area's most heavily traveled roads. According to the most recent data from the Department of Transportation, approximately 10,000 vehicles travel on this road a day, including more than 300 trucks.
"You have Mercy Hospital, you have [Public School 67] Discovery School, Notre Dame Academy, many businesses, many residents all around the Abbott Road area. And as you can see, this intersection of Abbott, Warren Spahn, Red Jacket Parkway, Potters Road come to an area that is of great importance to not just the South Buffalo neighborhood, but to the City of Buffalo," Senator Kennedy said. "There's investment happening into the infrastructure here, as well as into this beautiful Cazenovia Park. We are very excited that the City of Buffalo has taken the lead role in this project."
The investments on Abbott Road will complement several other projects led by the City of Buffalo, including the streetscape improvements along Seneca Street and upgrades to Cazenovia Park facilities. That's also in addition to the recently announced $47.5 million project that will go towards the reconstruction of Tifft and Louisiana Streets.
According to Commissioner Finn, the City of Buffalo is in the preliminary phase of the design process. They will progress with public input throughout the summer and into the winter months, with the goal of starting the project some time in 2023.
