Press Releases

Federal, State, and City leaders came together to announce plans for more than $95 million in investments in the streets and neighborhoods of East Buffalo. Projects, scheduled to take place over the next four years include major infrastructure improvements along Bailey Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Main Street, and Michigan Avenue.   

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “Infrastructure provides the foundation for strong communities, advancing business growth and job opportunity, improving safety, enhancing accessibility, and supporting healthy neighborhoods. This investment will not only be transformative in the physical sense but will have a lasting positive impact on the quality of life for residents.” 

"This $95 million commitment doesn't start and end with infrastructure improvements. The impact these dollars will have on our community extends to the businesses and institutions that are embedded in the fabric of East Buffalo," said Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "By investing in Jefferson, Bailey, Michigan, and Main, we're investing in our community, strengthening our economy, and incentivizing more businesses and families to put down roots in these historic neighborhoods."

“Thank you to Congressman Brian Higgins for advocating and delivering resources for Buffalo’s Eastside. I am thrilled at the next four years’ worth of federal investments coming. The Eastside’s commercial corridors are in need of improvements for increased pedestrian safety, accessibility, traffic flow, and quality of life. Bailey Avenue Bus Rapid Transit service is an initiative I have championed for years and am content finally seeing it come to reality. While we will be inconvenienced by construction, I have no doubt that it will be well worth the wait,” commented Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

Mayor Byron Brown said, “Good streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure amenities will enhance the vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian experience in East Buffalo.  This type of investment is good for our residents and good for the economy, spurring more private development, while making transportation easier for residents and businesses. I thank Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Higgins, Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes and Senator Kennedy for their tireless advocacy for the City of Buffalo.”

A total of $25.65 million will be invested on Jefferson Avenue along a 3.25-mile stretch from Main Street, near Canisius College, down to Swan Street.  will see street rehabilitation as well as streetscape improvements such as new lighting, sidewalks, and other pedestrian-friendly features.  

Bailey Avenue will undergo a $15 million reconstruction in two phases from Winspear Avenue to East Delavan Avenue. The Build Back Bailey project will better define the roadway, support multi-modal transportation and include Buffalo Sewer Authority green infrastructure design features. Congressman Higgins has requested, and House of Representatives has approved an additional $1 million in federal funding in the federal 2023 budget to synchronize traffic signals and provide technology to support Bus Rapid Transit along Bailey. The funding is up for U.S. Senate consideration and approval later this year.  

Middle Main Street from Goodell Street to Kensington Avenue will see a transformation funded in part by a $25 million federal grant awarded through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.  A new road design will feature one lane in each direction along with a center turning lane and decorative LED lighting. Pedestrian and bicycle-friendly amenities include raised cycle tracks as well as bump-outs and push-button countdown timers. The 2.5-mile project will better enhance the connection between neighborhoods on the East and West sides of Main Street and also builds on over $54 million in separate investment planned for additional phases of the Cars Sharing Main Street project in Downtown Buffalo. 

A $4 million investment will be made along Michigan Street from South Division to Genesee Streets. The project, which runs along Buffalo’s Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, will include new asphalt pavement, replacement of necessary sidewalks and curbs, new signs and pavement markings, new traffic signals, including accessible pedestrian infrastructure, a City-owned LED street lighting system, and various streetscape amenities.  

Many of the projects are in the planning and design phases and will incorporate feedback based on public discussions. A map of the project area is available here.