PUBLIC NOTICE

NFTA-METRO Rail Extension

Add to FFY 26-30 TIP as Illustrative Project

The Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Erie and Niagara Counties. Federal regulations require each MPO to develop and approve a short-term (5 years) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and a long-term (20+ years) Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

The approved GBNRTC 2026-2030 TIP and 2050 MTP Update each contain a listing of additional unfunded project proposals that may be included in a financial plan for a LRTP or TIP if reasonable additional resources were to become available referred to as “illustrative projects”.

The GBNRTC is proposing to amend the 2026-2030 TIP by adding one (1) illustrative project.

NFTA-Metro is proposing to expand high-quality transit service from Buffalo to Tonawanda and Amherst from the existing Metro Rail terminus at University Station on the University at Buffalo (UB) South Campus, along Kenmore Avenue, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Maple Road and Sweet Home Road, through the UB North Campus to John James Audubon Parkway and Interstate 990 (I-990).

The purpose of the project is to link established and emerging activity centers along the existing Metro Rail line in Buffalo with those in Amherst and Tonawanda via a fast, reliable, safe, and convenient transit ride. Additionally, the Project would improve livability by increasing mobility and accessibility in communities throughout the region.

The estimated capital cost of the project (in $2032) is approximately $2.2 billion.

GBNRTC is not required to select or fund any illustrative project(s). Federal action is not required on this action by the FHWA and the FTA until the project is formally included in the financially constrained TIP.

Public comments will be received for 30 days from 1/22/26 until Close of Business (COB) on 2/23/26.

Click here to view the Public Notice document.

If you have any additional questions or comments, please email us at staff@gbnrtc.org, or contact us at the address and telephone number below