Governor Hochul Highlights More Than $27 Million in Completed Roadway Safety and Infrastructure Improvements Across Erie and Niagara Counties

Albany, New York – More than $27 million in roadway improvement projects have been completed across Erie and Niagara counties, bringing new pavement, better drainage, improved pedestrian access and several safety upgrades to major transportation routes in Western New York.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the projects, which cover several heavily traveled corridors in the region. The work includes improvements along South Transit Road, Campbell Boulevard and North French Road, as well as the LaSalle Expressway and Interstate 190. A new roundabout on Armor Duells Road in the Town of Orchard Park is also scheduled to open as part of the broader effort to improve traffic safety and movement.

The projects are spread across roads that serve different purposes but share one important role: connecting residents, commuters, businesses and visitors throughout Western New York. Some of the improvements focus on worn pavement, while others add sidewalks, improve drainage, create more room for bicyclists or make intersections safer.

“New Yorkers expect and deserve a robust transportation network that is safe, reliable and built to meet the needs of growing communities, and we are making the investments to deliver it,” Governor Hochul said. “Across Western New York, we are investing in infrastructure to enhance public safety, strengthen the economy and connect communities. These investments are about more than better roads – they are about making it easier for people to get to work, get their kids to school and get home safely every day.”

The work is part of a larger investment in New York’s transportation system. According to the governor’s office, the New York State Department of Transportation has been carrying out an unusually large number of paving and rehabilitation projects across the state this year.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said the roads being improved are important to many different groups, from local commuters and students to tourists and sports fans.

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“From students headed to the University at Buffalo or fans headed to Buffalo Bills games or visitors traveling to Niagara Falls or commuters moving through and across Erie and Niagara counties, these roads are crucial to enhancing public safety and mobility as they keep our communities connected, moving people and enabling our economy to thrive. When we invest in transportation, we invest in our communities, making them accessible and safe for everyone — motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. And thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul’s historic investment in New York’s infrastructure, NYSDOT is delivering for communities, big and small, across Western New York.”

One of the most visible changes is the new roundabout at the intersection of Armor Duells Road, Duerr Road and Murphy Road in Orchard Park.

The $3.1 million project replaced the former four-way intersection, where traffic was controlled by a two-way stop, with a modern roundabout. The change is designed to help vehicles move through the intersection more smoothly while reducing congestion and improving safety.

The project was not limited to the roundabout itself. Construction also included new pavement, sidewalks and drainage improvements. Crews upgraded road markings and signs and added landscaping and lighting around the intersection.

Armor Duells Road, also known as State Route 952J, is an important route between Orchard Park and Hamburg. The roadway experiences considerable traffic during the year, and traffic levels can increase substantially when the Buffalo Bills play home games at Highmark Stadium.

The new intersection is therefore expected to provide another benefit on game days by helping manage the additional vehicles traveling through the area.

Roundabouts are designed differently from traditional signalized or stop-controlled intersections. Vehicles generally travel at lower speeds as they enter and move through the circular intersection. According to the state, crashes that occur at roundabouts tend to be less severe, which can reduce the likelihood of serious injuries and fatalities.

The new design also does not require electric-powered traffic signals. Along with the safety changes, the project includes updated road markings, signs and other features intended to make the intersection easier to navigate.

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Another major project involved South Transit Road, or State Route 78, where $8.9 million was invested in rehabilitation work.

The project covered approximately 20 lane miles of South Transit Road, extending from the Lockport city line at Dorchester Road to the Millersport Highway, or State Route 263, ramps in Amherst. Most of the project is in Niagara County, with a smaller section extending into Erie County.

Crews milled and resurfaced the roadway, replacing portions of the existing surface with new pavement. New pavement markings and corridor signs were also installed.

Drainage was another major part of the project. Workers repaired and replaced drainage structures, including culverts, to help manage water along the roadway and protect the improved pavement.

The project also addressed pedestrian access in Lockport. Sidewalks were reconstructed, and a new curb ramp meeting Americans with Disabilities Act standards was installed along the eastern side of South Transit Street in front of Children’s Memorial Park. The new ramp is located between Lincoln Avenue and Lincoln Drive.

South Transit Street is an important connection between Lockport, the seat of Niagara County, and communities in Erie County. The road is used every day by residents, commuters and commercial vehicles, while visitors also rely on it when traveling through the region.

The improvements are expected to provide a smoother roadway while also addressing pedestrian access and drainage concerns.

In Amherst, another $6.5 million project focused on Campbell Boulevard, State Route 270, and North French Road.

The work covered more than six lane miles and included milling and resurfacing the roads. Shoulders were also reconstructed, creating additional space that can be used by bicyclists and improving the overall safety of the corridor.

Pedestrian facilities were expanded as well. Approximately 1.4 miles of new sidewalk were added as part of the project.

The improvements also addressed drainage along North French Road. A new right-turn lane was constructed for westbound traffic on North French Road turning north onto Campbell Boulevard.

The two roads are important links in Amherst and connect neighborhoods and businesses with major destinations in the area. That includes the University at Buffalo and nearby residential and commercial areas.

The project is intended to improve conditions for people using the roads in different ways. Motorists benefit from resurfaced pavement and a new turn lane, while pedestrians gain additional sidewalk space and bicyclists receive more room through the reconstructed shoulders.

State Senator Jeremy J. Zellner said the work addresses the needs of people who regularly use the Amherst corridors.

“Campbell Boulevard and North French Road are important corridors for the people I represent in Amherst, and these improvements are a significant investment in the safety and accessibility of our community. Better roads, safer crossings and more space for pedestrians and bicyclists make a difference for the thousands of people who use these routes every day. I thank Governor Hochul and the Department of Transportation for making this investment in Amherst and across Western New York.”

Assemblymember Karen McMahon also pointed specifically to the completion of the Amherst project.

“I am very pleased with the culmination of the $6.5 million improvement project at Campbell Boulevard and North French Road in Amherst. I thank the Governor for recognizing the need for these improvements and the crews who expeditiously completed the work.”

The fourth major project highlighted by the state covers the LaSalle Expressway and Interstate 190 in Niagara Falls.

The $8.7 million project restored approximately 22 lane miles of pavement. That total includes 15 lane miles of the LaSalle Expressway, also designated State Route 951A, and seven lane miles of Interstate 190 between Witmer Road, or State Route 31, and Upper Mountain Road.

The main work involved milling and resurfacing the existing pavement. The result is intended to provide motorists with a smoother roadway and improved driving conditions.

These highways have significance beyond everyday local travel. They connect Niagara Falls with several major destinations, including the Niagara Scenic Parkway, Niagara Falls State Park, the Rainbow Bridge and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

Because Niagara Falls attracts millions of visitors, the condition of these roads can affect both residents and tourists. The newly resurfaced sections form part of a transportation network that supports tourism while also carrying regular local traffic.

The state described the work as an important improvement along one of New York’s major tourism corridors.

Senator Charles Schumer connected the Western New York projects to federal transportation funding and said federal infrastructure money is helping support road safety work in the region.

“Investments in our roads enhance pedestrian and driver safety and improve the efficiency of the delivery of goods and services. That’s why I am proud to deliver millions in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law for critical road safety improvements like these across Erie and Niagara counties. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work putting federal dollars to good use in Western New York communities and will continue fighting to deliver the resources needed to pave the way for a safer future.”

Representative Tim Kennedy also highlighted the different types of improvements included in the projects.

“Every Western New Yorker should be able to count on safe, reliable roadways. This funding means safer intersections, smoother commutes, better access for pedestrians and cyclists, and stronger connections between our communities. I’m proud to see this work moving forward across Erie and Niagara Counties because investing in our infrastructure is an investment in our future. With these improvements, we are making Western New York a better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The projects in Erie and Niagara counties are part of a much larger statewide transportation program.

The state says Hochul has provided $600 million this year for paving work. With that funding, NYSDOT has undertaken more than 180 paving projects throughout New York, covering almost 2,150 lane miles.

Those projects are in addition to paving work already planned through NYSDOT’s regular programs. Together, the state says, they represent the most ambitious annual road resurfacing program ever undertaken by the department.

The scale of the statewide program also helps put the Western New York projects into perspective. While the individual projects address specific local problems, they are part of a broader effort to improve the condition and safety of the state’s transportation network.

For residents in Erie and Niagara counties, the benefits are expected to be most noticeable in everyday travel. New pavement can provide a smoother ride, while improved drainage can help protect roads from water-related damage. New sidewalks and curb ramps can make routes more accessible to pedestrians, and additional shoulder space can provide better conditions for cyclists.

The roundabout in Orchard Park also represents a change in how traffic will move through a busy intersection. With the Buffalo Bills season underway, the location is likely to see significant traffic during home games, making the completed work particularly relevant to drivers traveling between Orchard Park and Hamburg.

The projects also illustrate how transportation improvements can serve several purposes at the same time. Roads are used by people going to work, students traveling to school and university, commercial vehicles delivering goods, families traveling locally and visitors heading toward major attractions.

The New York State Department of Transportation said its mission is to provide a safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation system. The agency also says its transportation work is intended to connect communities, improve quality of life, protect the environment and support the state’s economy.

As the new projects enter regular use, the state is reminding drivers that roadway construction and maintenance also depend on safe behavior around highway workers.

The Department of Transportation’s warning remains straightforward: “Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!”

The completed work across Erie and Niagara counties includes several different types of improvements, but the overall goal is the same: improve the condition of major roads while making travel safer and more accessible for the people who use them.

From the new roundabout in Orchard Park to the resurfaced highways in Niagara Falls, the projects affect roads that connect communities, support local travel and carry visitors into some of Western New York’s most heavily traveled areas.