Rep. Higgins provides support to NFTA rail extension

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) is encouraging the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) to pursue Alternative B, also known as the Buffalo River plan, in a study examining options to enhance access and expand connectivity along the southern end of the Metro Rail line in Downtown Buffalo, N.Y.

 

“Today’s decisions will determine tomorrow’s opportunities and the Buffalo River option that fully integrates the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W) Terminal into the future of Metro Rail gives this community the best opportunities moving forward,” said Rep Higgins.

The NFTA is currently considering options relative to the proposed extension of Buffalo’s Metro Rail beyond its current last stop at the Special Events Station at First Niagara Center, around the foot of Main Street to the DL&W building along South Park Avenue. Alternative A, the South Park option, would provide a new station platform along South Park Avenue on the north side of the DL&W. Alternative B would allow for Metro Rail cars to pull right into the DL&W, delivering passengers to a stop on the ground floor of the DL&W adjacent to the Buffalo River.

In addition to a new platform on the first floor of the DL&W Terminal, the Buffalo River Alternative includes stair and elevator access to the 2nd level of the terminal, a pedestrian bridge spanning South Park Avenue, public access to the Riverwalk and the option for future extensions.

Higgins pointed out that the Buffalo River Plan (Alternative B) best represents current planning preferences centered on Transit-Oriented Development, which focus on integrating transportation centers with mixed-use development. In addition, the Buffalo River alternative creates a multi-modal transportation hub allowing for bus and automobile traffic along South Park, light rail within the DL&W Terminal, connections to bicycle and pedestrian trails along the water’s edge, as well as boat and kayak opportunities in the Buffalo River.

The interior DL&W stop would complement Transit-Oriented Development currently underway down the tracks with construction of the University of Buffalo Medical School above the existing Allen Street Station within the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

Last September Rep. Higgins released a report detailing the more than $169 million in federal investments made along the Buffalo River over the last decade. In the report he listed development at the DL&W Terminal as an important next step in Buffalo’s waterfront revival. Rep. Higgins previously secured the $249 million New York Power Authority federal relicensing settlement that continues to fund redevelopment at Canal side and Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.

“We applaud the NFTA’s foresight and community involvement,” said Rep. Higgins. “Now, the decision is ours. Do we want to create a rail stop or a destination?”

 

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