NYSDOT Implements Safety Improvements Along Elm-Oak Corridor in City of Buffalo

ALBANY, NY (11/05/2012)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced the completion of a series of safety improvements along the Elm-Oak arterial in downtown Buffalo that will enhance safety for all users of the busy corridor.

"Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed agencies to improve and streamline our processes. At NYSDOT, I have launched a new corridor safety planning process," Commissioner McDonald said. "We analyzed the Elm-Oak corridor and developed a plan to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. In addition to the improvements that we have made this year, we are working in cooperation with Mayor Byron Brown's Downtown Infrastructure Task Force to determine additional safety improvements to be completed next year."

Pedestrian safety improvements on the Elm-Oak arterial that the Department recently completed include:

· Installation of high visibility crosswalks with sidewalk ramps, pedestrian buttons and countdown timers at high demand intersections;

· Adjustment of traffic signal timing to calm traffic by controlling speeds through the corridor and shorten cycle lengths to reduce the time pedestrians

have to wait to cross the road;

· Addition of on-street parking between North Division and South Division streets; and

· Reduction of the travel lane widths from 12 feet to 11 feet.

The Department is collaborating with the city of Buffalo on a project for next year to further address pedestrian issues on both the Elm-Oak and Church Street corridors. The project will include sidewalk construction, driveway removals, curb extensions and additional pedestrian signal features.