Buffalo Advances Cars Sharing Main Street Project
Construction on the $60 million downtown initiative continues as crews focus on the west side of the street.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Construction
Live Poll
Do you support prioritizing pedestrian access over car traffic on major downtown streets in your area?
Since April 2026, work has continued on the Cars Sharing Main Street project in Buffalo, which aims to renovate the corridor between Mohawk and Exchange streets. The $60 million project includes new sidewalks, landscaping, and trackbed repairs.
Why it matters
The project represents a significant investment of New York State transportation funds to revitalize the urban core. While the primary renovation moves forward, the NFTA has terminated contractor Greenway USA following delays on light rail stops.
The $60 million infrastructure project is fully funded by New York State. The work encompasses comprehensive improvements including trackbed repair and new pedestrian-level lighting throughout the corridor.
The players
NFTA
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority manages public transit services and infrastructure projects across the Buffalo metropolitan area.
Greenway USA
This construction firm was previously contracted for work on the project before their termination by the NFTA.
The details
Crews are currently concentrating efforts on the west side of Main Street, incorporating new street furniture and improved pedestrian infrastructure. These upgrades are intended to integrate transit more effectively between the Theater District and Canalside.
Timeline
Construction activities in the downtown corridor began in April 2026.
Work on the stalled Church Street light rail stops is expected to resume in Fall 2026.
The full scope of the project is slated for completion in Spring 2028.
Market Landscape
This project fits into a broader trend of transit-oriented urban redevelopment supported by New York State Department of Transportation capital funding programs. The initiative follows the pattern set by these programs in prioritizing multi-modal streetscape improvements in downtown areas.
Commuters and downtown visitors should expect ongoing single-tracking of above-ground trains during the construction phase. These changes to the transit environment may impact daily travel routines until the full project reaches completion in 2028.
The takeaway
Large-scale urban infrastructure projects often face complex contractor management challenges that can delay specific components of the work. Residents are encouraged to monitor transit schedules closely while the project progresses through its final phases.
What happens next
Work on the Church Street light rail stops is expected to resume in Fall 2026.
Further reading
For more information on infrastructure updates, visit Buffalo Construction.
Live Poll
Do you support prioritizing pedestrian access over car traffic on major downtown streets in your area?
