Get Involved

Comments

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON USE OF GATEWAY PARK AND ELLICOTT CREEK TRAILWAY

The Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System, Inc. (Metro) is proposing the Buffalo-Amherst-Tonawanda Corridor Transit Expansion Project (Project). This Project would extend high-quality transit from the Metro Rail University Station to new and existing centers in Amherst and Tonawanda. Construction will temporarily use Gateway Park and the Ellicott Creek Trail.

Gateway Park: Construction of the Project at Gateway Park (159 Niagara Falls Blvd) would involve excavation and construction staging, likely resulting in a 12-month closure. Metro will restore the park after construction, and the Town of Amherst will continue to own the property.

Ellicott Creek Trail: As part of the Project, Metro would need temporary access to the Ellicott Creek Trailway during construction. The existing pedestrian bridge over Ellicott Creek would be moved slightly southeast of its current position. While construction dates are not yet determined, the Trailway is expected to be closed for about two weeks, after which it will be restored for public use.

Section 4(f) Finding: Both Gateway Park and Ellicott Creek Trailway are protected under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966. Metro and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), through this notice, are notifying the public of a preliminary de minimis (or minor) impact finding, in accordance with Section 4(f). This type of impact would not negatively affect the features that qualify these sites as Section 4(f) resources. After a public comment period and approval from the Town of Amherst (as officials with jurisdiction), the FTA will issue its de minimis impact finding.

Please Send Us Your Comments: Comments regarding the preliminary de minimis impact determination are invited and will be accepted until December 29, 2025. Submissions may be made online at nftametrotransitexpansion.com. Written comments can be mailed to: Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, 181 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, New York 14203, Attention: Jeffery Amplement. Comments may also be submitted via email to transitexpansion@nfta.com or by voicemail at (716) 855-7382.

For more information, please refer to Draft EIS documentation provided.