Governor Hochul Announces Advancement of Historic Kensington Expressway Project to Reconnect East Buffalo Communities

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a major milestone in the transformative Kensington Expressway Project, which will reconnect neighborhoods within East Buffalo that have been divided for generations, while providing much-needed greenspace and a new vibrancy to the entire community. The Federal Highway Administration has issued a “Finding of No Significant Impact,” a key development that signals the end of the formal environmental assessment process and clears the way for the New York State Department of Transportation to advance to the final design stages and begin construction by the fall of 2024. Additionally, at the direction of Governor Hochul, the State Department of Transportation will commence a study this year on additional potential enhancements to further reconnect the community, all the way up to the Scajaquada Expressway and Delaware Park, including a new vision for a reimagined Humboldt Parkway. Building on the hundreds of public engagements ahead of this project, the State Department of Transportation will continue to engage with community members and listen to their concerns to ensure the best outcome for the corridor and the residents who call it home.

“From the very beginning, the Kensington Expressway Project has been a community-driven effort to restore the greenspace and quality of life wrongfully taken from East Buffalo with the highway’s initial construction,” Governor Hochul said. “Today's decision by the Federal Highway Administration allows us to move ahead on this transformational project to right the wrongs of the past and start construction later this year. But we are not done yet and will continue to rely on the project’s most important architects — local community members — to share their vision and partner with us as we study opportunities to reconnect the East Buffalo community in a way that makes residents proud.”

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issuance of a “Finding of No Significant Impact” comes after the State Department of Transportation undertook a detailed Environmental Assessment that extensively studied the social, economic, and environmental effects of the project; and outlined measures to mitigate any adverse effects. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) also conducted extensive public outreach on the Kensington Project, attending more than 70 meetings or public events in the affected communities, and remains committed to engaging the public throughout the final design and construction of the project.

A new Kensington Outreach Center, located at 630 Humboldt Parkway, is now officially open in East Buffalo to further opportunities for public engagement as the project moves from the planning phase to the construction phase. Its hours of operation are from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Issuance of the “Finding of No Significant Impact,” or FONSI, by the FHWA concludes the federal environmental assessment review.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The Kensington Expressway project is one that the East Buffalo community has talked about for decades, and under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the vision articulated by the residents of East Buffalo, is now a reality. The stars are aligned for this project and there will never be a better opportunity to start transforming the landscape of East Buffalo than at this very moment. This is a major milestone for a game-changing project – one that would not have been possible without continued input and support received from committed local residents and stakeholders in East Buffalo. The construction of the original Kensington Expressway carved a deep wound in the fabric of East Buffalo and now the healing process can officially begin.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The Kensington Expressway has divided East Buffalo for far too long,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m glad to see the Kensington Expressway Project move on to this next step. With construction set to begin this fall, we will be able to right this historic wrong, create jobs right here in the community, provide new greenspace, and reinvigorate the neighborhood.”

State Senator Tim Kennedy said, “Today is a win for the community. The Kensington Expressway redesign has been driven by the community since day one, and that continued passion for progress is key as this project moves forward. I thank the many people who led us to this moment, including Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes, and of course, Stephanie Barber Geter. As this project moves into the next phase, it does so in her memory and the years she spent on the front lines advocating for change.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “The Federal Highway Administration's determination is a huge victory for Restore Our Community Coalition (ROCC), allowing us to take the next step towards design and construction. This victory is for the late Clarke Eaton, Lumon Ross, and Stephanie Barber-Geter, staunch community advocates who had the vision and desire to see their neighborhoods reconnected. This will be their legacy. I look forward to working with the community on training and local hiring and to make this project as innovative and impactful as possible for residents.”

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown said, “I am proud to stand with Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes as we take the next step toward starting the Kensington Expressway project. Residents in East Buffalo have been pushing for this project since at least the 1990's, making this a true people's project. With the Federal Highway Administration’s approval, we are now able to begin work spurring a significant number of construction jobs for residents of our community. I thank my partners in government at the State and Federal level who helped make this opportunity possible.”

Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader Leah M. Halton-Pope said, “The federal government approval of the Kensington Expressway reconstruction project represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive and connected Buffalo. This decision comes as a culmination of tireless advocacy from our residents, particularly those on the East Side who formed the Restore Our Community Coalition (ROCC) to address the long-standing harm caused by the expressway dating back to the early 2000s. Additionally, it's essential to honor the remarkable work and leadership of the late Stephanie Barber-Geter, whose dedication continues to inspire us. I commend Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and Senator Tim Kennedy for their unwavering support and dedication to addressing the concerns of our residents.”

Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Executive Director Terry Alford said, “Today's announcement by our Governor exemplifies the great progress and momentum to correct mistakes of the past that negatively impacted generations of residents still living in those historic neighborhoods within and beyond a once beautiful and vibrant parkway. The transformational changes expected as a result of a re-imagined Kensington Expressway will create opportunities that hopefully will lead to the generational wealth so many richly deserve.”

Buffalo Museum of Science President and CEO Gary Siddall said, “We commend Governor Hochul for the energy and enthusiasm she has invested towards improvements for East Buffalo. We look forward to participating in, and making our City building available for, continued community discussions surrounding how it will benefit our neighboring community.”

Buffalo NAACP President Rev. Mark Blue said, “For far too long, the Kensington has divided our community. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in making this long community dream a reality.”

WNY Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO President Peter De Jesús Jr. said, “This project in Western New York means a better quality of life for citizens of East Buffalo, and thousands of good paying jobs for local residents. I commend Governor Hochul for her decisive action in bringing this project forward and for this monumental investment in Western New York and its workers.”

Laborers Local 210 President Sam Capitano said, “Thank you Governor Hochul for moving this project forward, this project has long been in the works and will reconnect a community that was separated by a highway. The initial design of this road included a cap and I’m glad that we’ll finally be able to restore this neighborhood. The residents have suffered lower property values of those beautiful homes for too long due to the expressway in their front yards. As a lifelong resident of Buffalo, I am happy to support this project that will see this community brought back to life and also create good jobs in the area for years to come.”

Buffalo Niagara Building Trades Council President Paul Brown said, “As President of the Buffalo Niagara Building Trades Council, I am excited that this important infrastructure project will be moving forward. The nearly $1 billion project will create hundreds of union construction jobs, reduce environmental pollution, and reconnect this neighborhood. The tunnel will create green space and maintain the current flow of traffic. I thank Governor Hochul for this important investment in our community.”

Husband of the late Stephanie Barber Geter, Chair, Restore Our Community Coalition Edwin Geter said, “This is my wife’s life-long goal as she dedicated her life to correcting this wrong and improving the lives of others in her community. Thank you Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes and all those who are making Stephanie’s goal a reality.”

Restore Our Community Coalition Board Member Sydney Brown said, “Thank you Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and the dedicated members of our community who have fought for this project for decades. Today is a day for the believers and to honor the memory of those who brought us together and kept us together as the Restore Our Community Coalition – especially our late champion Stephanie Barber Geter – and the residents of East Buffalo who celebrate this announcement today. Our coalition spent decades to bring our elected officials and the DOT to the table to understand community concerns. This is a ROCC project, community led and community driven from its inception. The Kensington Expressway has long sliced a hole through the heart of our community. But today, we start to mend that heart by building a bridge to better.”

Vice President of the Buffalo Juneteenth Festival and Carpenters Local 276 Business Representative Jomo Akono said, “I live in this community and am a proud union member. I have family that bought homes in this community before the expressway divided it and I believe we need to honor the legacies of those who came before us and fought for this project for decades to bring local, state, and federal officials to the table. This project will prepare to repair our community, honoring the many who have passed but left us instructions to help heal the small differences our community is facing and leaving room to heal and grow. The Carpenters Union, Buffalo Public School, and community organizations are implementing plans to train our youth to build a new Buffalo and this project is a part of that. Our ancestors and elders will be proud as their dreams of a reconnected community become reality.”

Masten District Council Woman Zeneta B. Everhart said, “The green light from the Federal Highway Administration to move forward with the Kensington Expressway reconstruction project is a testament to the resilience and determination of our community members, such as my friend, the late Stephanie Barber-Geter. For years, residents have advocated tirelessly for the restoration of our neighborhoods and the removal of the barriers imposed by the expressway. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and Senator Kennedy for listening to our concerns and championing this important initiative.”

University District Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt said, “The approval of the Kensington Expressway reconstruction project represents a significant milestone in our city. As we move forward with the final design and construction phases, it is imperative that we continue to engage with residents and stakeholders to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. I want to recognize Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to this project, and I look forward to working together to ensure that it delivers meaningful benefits to all residents.”

ECMC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD said, “As the largest employer on the East Side of Buffalo , we are pleased Governor Hochul continues to focus investment in this community. This project leverages millions of federal transportation dollars and sets the stage to concentrate more future investment that can rebuild and connect these often neglected neighborhoods.”

Buffalo Urban League President & CEO Thomas Beauford, Jr said, “This is a significant investment in Buffalo's East Side. The Buffalo Urban League and the community stand ready to help inform a way forward for this transformative initiative.”

Trinidad Neighborhood Association President Ellen Harris-Harvey said, “Thank you Governor Kathy Hochul for your commitment, your leadership and unwavering support of the Kensington project! I am honored and grateful to be a part of this new beginning, and of the ROCC vision to restore our community. I thank God for our government officials and supporters who believed in this effort that will now turn one of the pages to right the wrongs of our past. We are moving the 'needle' in the right direction for people of color to help create environmental, economic and social equity in our communities! Our future looks much brighter today. Although some great ROCC leaders who paved the way are not here, their efforts will not be in-vain. Rest well Stephanie Barber-Geter, and other community champions who work tirelessly for change. We win because we never give-up or give-in! We are ROCC strong.”

CaHill Resources, CAHill TECH Founder and President Carley Jean Hill said, “As a blue collar, third generation small business owner, I am excited for the opportunity this brings to the next generation of road and bridge builders right here in our own back yard. Inspired thinking, strong leadership and a robust workforce keeps making Buffalo the best city to live in!”

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center President and CEO Candace S. Johnson, PhD said, “We applaud Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes, Senator Kennedy, the Restore Our Community Coalition and community leaders for their commitment to reconnect our community and improve quality of life for so many of our patients, employees and neighbors.”

Constructed during the 1950s and 1960s, the Kensington Expressway replaced what had been a grand, tree-lined boulevard – the historic Humboldt Parkway designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – with a below-grade highway that cut through the heart of the surrounding neighborhoods in East Buffalo. To right the wrongs of this historical injustice and its long-lasting impact, Governor Hochul has set aside $1 billion for the project, which includes providing new green space to reconnect the community.

The Biden-Harris administration also provided $55.59 million for the project through the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to reconnect communities that are cut off from opportunity and burdened by past transportation infrastructure decisions.

Proposed project highlights include:

1. Replacement of the below-grade expressway with a 4,150-foot-long, six-lane tunnel between Dodge Street and Sidney Street
2. Creation of a 90-foot-wide, tree lined median on top of the tunnel, providing approximately 11 acres of new, publicly accessible greenspace
3. Reconstruction of Humboldt Parkway while implementing “Complete Street” roadway design features
4. Rehabilitation of 9 miles of local streets, including resurfacing and replacement of sidewalks, curbs, driveway aprons, lighting, signals and new tree plantings as needed
5. Replacement of Best Street Bridge and creation of a roundabout at the Best Street interchange

The latest information about the project, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available at the project website.