Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced “City of Lights: Re-View our Waterfront” proposed by SWBR, Fisher Associates and MRB Group from Rochester is the winner of the “Aim for the Sky” competition to re-imagine the Skyway Corridor. The winning idea proposes removing the Skyway and redistributing traffic over a series of new facilities. A piece of the Skyway high level bridge would be re-purposed as “Skyway Park,” which would provide iconic views and recreational amenities.
- “The Buffalo waterfront has always been one of our state’s great assets, and by removing the existing Skyway we will lay the foundation for further transformation and growth in this community,” Governor Cuomo said. “This competition generated ideas and proposals from some of the nation’s greatest minds to redesign this obsolete corridor into a modern transportation network that reflects the exciting turnaround in Western New York and sends a message to the rest of the country that Buffalo is back.” --- The Governor announced the project will utilize an expedited Environmental Impact Statement that will be completed in under two years. Project construction will be completed in under three years. This expedited process will allow the entire project to be completed in under five years – four years faster than the process for typical projects of this nature.
- The concept for Skyway and Route 5 Corridor is to remove the barriers separating the city from its waterfront. Removal of the Skyway (Church Street to Prime Street) along with the access ramps makes 12 acres available for development in downtown and Canalside. A piece of the Skyway high level bridge would be re-purposed as “SkyPark,” which would provide iconic views and recreational amenities. Traffic would be redistributed over a series of new facilities including a new “Tifft Street Extension” road connecting to I-190; a new lift bridge at Michigan Avenue; and a new road connection between Ohio Street and Fuhrmann Boulevard south of the City Ship Canal; among other improvements. --- Roadway improvements are proposed to support private development in Silo City, along Ohio Street, in Riverbend and the Elk Street BOA, with incremental infill development across the First Ward.
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