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PORTFOLIO: Transportation

ELLICOTT GATEWAY AND STREETSCAPE PROJECT Buffalo, NY

Image Courtesy of nARCHITECTS	KEY PROJECT COMPONENTS: • Phase I-VI Design Services • Locally Administered Federal Aid Project • Accident Analysis • Traffic Data Collection and Analysis • Intersection Capacity Analyses • Intersection Improvements • Traffic Signal Design • Signal Timing Optimization • Pavement Reconstruction • Utility Coordination • Landscaping • Street Lighting • Public Participation • Construction Inspection • Waterline Replacement • Drainage Improvement

The City of Buffalo has initiated the first phase of street improvements on the fast–emerging Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC). To that end, the Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets are progressing two federally funded projects on the medical campus: Phase 1 - Ellicott Gateway Project and Phase 2 - Ellicott Streetscape Improvements. Phase I is funded through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Phase 2 has Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding.

Ellicott Gateway Project includes corridor enhancements along Ellicott Street that create a dedicated linear park, 20-feet in width, along the east side of Ellicott Street outside the City right-of-way. The project incorporates architectural lighting, sidewalk, granite curb planters, landscaping and sitting areas from Goodell Street to North Street.

The 20-foot linear park will be coupled with the streetscape improvements completed within the City right-of-way under the Phase 2 Ellicott Streetscape Improvements project. Together, these two projects will establish a space unique to the medical campus and the City of Buffalo; one cohesive 36-foot wide linear park.

The Ellicott Streetscape Improvements project will consist of roadway resurfacing and streetscape enhancements to Ellicott Street within the City right-of-way. Ellicott Street will be changed from one-way (northbound) to two-way traffic from Goodell Street to Best Street with signage established along both sides of the street and at intersections reflecting and supporting the traffic conversion. An upgraded signalized intersection at High Street will be reconstructed to address the conversion to two-way traffic movements along Ellicott Street. North Oak Street will be realigned at a new four-way stop intersection to facilitate safer vehicular turning and pedestrian crossing. Road improvements will involve the placement of asphalt overlays and new granite curbing replacing the existing curb lines on both sides of the street. New shared bicycle lanes will also be installed.

Streetscape work will include concrete pedestrian sidewalks and landscaping on both sides of the street. New planters on the east side of Ellicott Street will be landscaped to similarly to those outside the right-of-way, making the New street lighting and “pay-and-display” parking meter systems will be incorporated.

TVGA assisted the City of Buffalo by managing the final design and construction administration for both projects. Phase I is currently under construction, while construction of Phase 2 will begin in Fall 2011. Coordination with BNMC stakeholders and on-going operation of vital medical campus facilities have been important considerations throughout the design and construction of these projects.