Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $6.9 Million Rehabilitation Project on NY Route 5 in Erie County

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a $6.9 million preventative maintenance project on State Route 5 from Big Tree Road to Kane Street in the town of Hamburg and city of Lackawanna in Erie County. The project enhanced the mobility and traffic safety on this vital corridor for motorists and pedestrians alike.

"We are investing in preventative maintenance and working with communities to create resilient roadways for future generations of New Yorkers to help ensure regional economies have reliable infrastructure that supports safe, accessible travel," Governor Hochul said. "This rehabilitation project not only enhances mobility and safety, but also makes sure that places like Hamburg and Lackawanna can stay economically competitive as we continue to combat the challenges of the pandemic and strengthen our infrastructure and economy for the future."

Pedestrian safety was a priority along this well-traveled corridor. New curb and wheelchair ramps were constructed in compliance with the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pedestrian signal equipment was upgraded with modern pedestrian push buttons and countdown timers that will warn walkers when they can expect the traffic signal to change.

The project included rehabilitating the pavement on State Route 5 by milling the existing surface, making necessary pavement repairs and overlaying to provide a new wearing surface that will extend the useful life of the highway. This cost-effective treatment will provide a pavement design life of five years. Paving work keeps New York's highways in a state of good repair, and this investment delays the need for more costly, in depth repairs in the future.

New pavement markings, traffic signs and signals were installed on State Route 5 within the project limits.

A 2,300 foot long section of waterline on State Route 5, owned by the Erie County Water Authority, was also replaced through a municipal betterment agreement under this project, to improve the performance and reliability of the system.

"Transportation improvements, like the rehabilitation of Route 5, are critical to supporting access to business and commerce for all members of the communities we serve," said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. "These improvements to the corridor are an example of how DOT is making critical investments in our highways while also improving the reliability of our transportation system for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists."

Senator Sean Ryan said, "The completion of this project is great news for the thousands of commuters who travel the stretch of Route 5 between downtown Buffalo and the Southtowns each day. The $6.9 million investment has funded important measures to ease traffic and improve safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. My thanks to the many construction workers whose efforts were vital to getting this project completed on schedule."

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, "Maintaining healthy infrastructure is a key indicator of a region's ability to progress. This critical roadwork on a vital vehicular artery between the city of Buffalo and the Southtowns is yet another sign of the Hochul administration's understanding of good government and the needs of our state's residents."

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