BUFFALO, N.Y. — The East Side Parkways Coalition, Citizens for Regional Transit, and members of the University at Buffalo Department of Architecture and Planning believe data shows that radial streets could handle Kensington Expressway traffic if the parkway was restored.
Members of the three organizations compiled data collected by the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC). Brad Wales, Jim Gordon, and University at Buffalo graduate student Raymond Jacobson created a hypothetical redistribution model of traffic for the year 2028.
The redistribution model looked at filling in the Kensington Expressway and shifting traffic to Main St, Broadway Ave, Walden Ave, Genesee St, and William St.
"Their current traffic levels show that the arterioles are currently using about one-third less of their capacity that they could handle," said Raymond Jacobson. "When you look at the numbers, both the New York State Department of Transportation's traffic data viewer and also the GBNRTC's interactive map for the average daily traffic, you'll see that the main arterials of Broadway, Walden, which becomes Sycamore, and Genesee, they're each averaging about 10 to 15,000. average daily traffic."
The model proposes that Genesee Street and Walden Avenue could handle 27,500 vehicles per day, Broadway could handle 28,500, and William St could withstand a traffic flow of 18,500.
Main Street and I-190 currently sees 28,500 and 82,500 vehicles per day, according to the GBNRTC data.
The hypothetical model indicates Main Street could be increased to 29,500 vehicles, and I-190 increased to 86,500 respectively.
A spokesperson for the NYSDOT did not respond to an email requesting comment on these figures.
While the DOT is expected to announce its decision to move forward with the $1B tunnel proposal or do nothing, by the end of the year or early 2024. The coalition hopes that elected leaders will step in to authorize an Environmental Impact Statement, to further study the impact of the proposed project.
"The facts are the facts. And if you look at them, honestly, then you come up with a solution that says there's a better way to move people to where they have to go," lifelong resident of Humboldt Parkway, Terrance Robinson, said. "It can be done in a smart way."