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Stretch of Pearl Street being converted to two-way traffic

WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley

The City of Buffalo has launched a construction project to convert a one-way section of Pearl Street to two-way in downtown Buffalo.

Standing at the corner of Pearl Street and Seneca Street Friday, Mayor Byron Brown announced the $2.5 million project to convert one-way Pearl from Tupper Street to Upper Terrace to two-way. The project will created one lane of vehicular traffic in each direction and new bike lanes in both directions

"We'll make it easier to get from downtown to Buffalo's waterfront," said Mayor Brown. "Which will certainly improve the circulation in downtown Buffalo. This project is important and necessary because as downtown continues to grow with business invested, new residents and visitors, we also have to focus on traffic circulation." 

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Public Works Commissioner Steven Stepniak said the project will also benefit pedestrians.

"It allows the pedestrians to feel more of a controlled environment," said Stepniak. "It's just not a roadway -- it's also bicycles and pedestrians."

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Construction is underway at Pearl & Seneca Streets downtown.

Mayor Brown said the project complements the conversation of a portion of Main Street downtown to two-way traffic. The city is providing a $1.5 million city bond and the state has included a $1 million Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) grant to help fund the project.

State Senator Tim Kennedy of Buffalo noted the importance of this project as downtown's new waterfront is attracting tens of thousands of people to Canalside.

"There's going to be areas for bicyclists to maneuver down Pearl Street. There's going to be increased safety standards for vehicles and it's going to open it up and make it more pedestrian friendly," said Kennedy.  

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Pearl Street at Seneca Street.

The Pearl Street changes should be completed by spring of next year. 

Project highlights include:

  • Conversion from one-way to two-way from Tupper to Upper Terrace
    • Traffic signals and signage will be installed/adjusted to support the conversion
  • Resurfacing of that entire stretch
  • Striping of the roadway for the following:
  • One vehicle lane in each direction
  • Bike lanes in both directions
  • Parking lanes will be maintained on both sides of the road

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