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BUFFALO — Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) marked completion of the new Shoreline Trail bicycle and pedestrian bridge featuring a Niagara River scenic overlook and an improved Riverwalk connection along the water’s edge. This $5.2 million project is a component of a larger $60 million Peace Bridge gateway project which includes more than $15 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Higgins.
“Federal investments are improving public access and the waterfront experience along the Niagara River, Buffalo River and Lake Erie,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “Completion of the Shoreline Trail bridge is the latest opportunity for Western New Yorkers and all who visit to get up close and take in one of our greatest regional assets – our water.”
The 25-foot-tall Shoreline Trail bridge spans 186 feet crossing NYS Interstate 190 and a railroad right-of-way. The pedestrian bridge’s truss superstructure echoes the nearby, larger, historic truss structure that carries the Peace Bridge over the Black Rock channel.
The project realigns the Shoreline Trail adding 700 feet new path directly adjacent to the waterfront. The reconfigured design enhances the trail’s safety and provides sweeping panoramic views from the water’s edge.
The Riverwalk extends 6.5 miles from Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo up along the Niagara River into the City of Tonawanda. A number of projects recently completed or now underway around and along this section of Niagara River waterfront are aimed at improving the public experience including:
- Removal of Baird Drive, reconnecting Front Park, a Frederick Law Olmsted designed park which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Rehabilitation of the Ferry Street Bridge connecting Niagara street and Broderick Park ($7.92 million project includes $5.56 in federal transportation funding)
- Reconstruction of the Niagara Street Corridor which includes bike lanes ($28.7 million includes more than $10 million in federal funding)
- Recent environmental dredging of the Black Rock Channel ($2.197 in federal funding)
- Rehabilitation of the Bird Island Pier by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with Niagara River Greenway funding ($1.5 million)
These represent over $33 million in federal investments along this immediate stretch of the Niagara River.
