The Authority and NYSDOT have been conducting a Corridor Study on eight miles of I-90 near Buffalo, between Interchange 49 (Transit Road) and 53 (I-190) and on the Youngmann Memorial Highway (I-290) between I-90 and Interchange 7 (Main Street) in Erie County (see map). The project includes engineering studies, environmental studies, and a public outreach program. The project involves the identification of the safety, structural, capacity, and operational needs and concerns that may occur over the next 30 years.

However, recent changes to the Thruway toll structure in the Buffalo area, specifically at the Black Rock and City Line Toll Barriers, have begun to alter regional traffic patterns. These changes could affect the magnitude of the transportation issues in the Corridor that are being identified by the Study, and impact potential solutions to those issues. Since further changes in the traffic volumes can be anticipated after the toll plazas on the Niagara Thruway are removed, sometime in the Spring 2007, the Thruway Authority has postponed work on the Buffalo Corridor Study until the toll plazas have been removed and traffic patterns stabilize.

Specific areas that are being evaluated include:

• Mainline mobility
• Structural condition of Thruway/ DOT pavements and bridges
• Congestion and access at Interchanges

The study will identify improvements needed to meet increasing traffic demands and projects that could be developed to meet these demands.

• Potential improvements that will be studied include:
• Reconfiguration of the I-90 interchanges with: I-290, NY 33, Walden Avenue, William Street and Transit Road
• Reconfiguration of the I-290 interchange with NY Route 5 (Main Street)
• Other improvements may be studied as the Corridor's needs are analyzed. In the future, this Website will identify the needs and alternatives under consideration
• Addition of a travel lane(s) in each direction