WNY awarded $18 million for various traffic, emission improvements

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Several towns and cities in Western New York have been awarded a portion of $18 million for various traffic and emission improvements, the New York State Department of Transportation said Monday.

The funding was part of $61.4 million awarded to 21 different projects across the state to "support community-based investments that reduce vehicle emissions and congestion" in the area.

The awards can be seen below:

• $3,576,000 to the Town of Amherst to reconfigure the Maple Road and North Bailey Avenue intersection
• $1,324,800 to the City of Buffalo for electric bicycles with docking areas, an electric 20-car sharing program and electric vehicle charging stations in various city-owned lots
• $5 million to the Town of Clarence to construct sidewalks on both sides of the street in Clarence Center
• $1,656,834 to the City of North Tonawanda to upgrade traffic signals at 19 intersections
• $5 million to the NFTA to purchase ten 40-foot electric buses and charging equipment
• $1,424,115 to the Seneca Nation of Indians to connect trails throughout the Allegany Territory.

"These community-based projects reaffirm New York’s nation leading commitment to the environment put forward by Governor Hochul," State DOT commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said in a news release. "By investing in projects that will lessen congestion and the pollution associated with idling, as well as limiting the environmental impact of carbon, we are not only helping to fight climate change, but also helping to facilitate local economic development and improving quality of life."

The funds were made available through the Federal Highway Administration.