Opponents and supporters of the light-rail extension project in Amherst find supportive evidence in a fresh NFTA study, causing heated debate in New York.
Metro Rail Extension in Amherst: A Project Moving Forward Despite Challenges
The proposed extension of the Metro Rail system from the University at Buffalo (UB) South Campus to beyond the UB North Campus in Amherst, New York, is currently at the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) stage, open for public comment until September 8, 2025. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has completed a draft environmental study and is moving toward project implementation, though considerable public discussion and some opposition remain.
This extension aims to nearly double the current 6.4-mile light rail line, adding approximately 10 new stations and park & ride locations. The project is expected to improve transit frequency and reliability, connecting major regional hubs including the UB North Campus within 14 minutes via the new line.
Positive Impacts and Concerns
The potential impacts of the project include enhanced high-quality transit access, economic development through increased jobs and business opportunities along the corridor, and better connections for commuters. However, disruption during construction, including temporary road closures, noise, air quality issues, and the possibility that some residents and businesses may lose property to accommodate the extension, are also anticipated. Some individual property owners have expressed concern about property acquisition and displacement.
Public Opinion
Public opinion on the project is divided. Supporters include New York State, Erie County, the University at Buffalo, business groups, and advocates for sustainability and public transportation, all emphasizing long-term benefits despite high costs (~$1.2 billion). Opponents cite the high cost and local disruption, with some public figures opposing the project and residents worried about personal property impacts.
Moving Forward
The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) shows that the agency may need to fully acquire 14 properties for the extension, including four residential and 10 commercial properties. The NFTA has conducted extensive community outreach and plans to do more in the months to come. The agency is also working with UB and Amherst on easements involving university- and town-owned land for the light-rail extension project.
If approved, construction could begin as early as 2028 and the first trains could run by 2032. The four-year long construction process would include drilling blast holes, loading them with explosives, removing blasted rock, pumping out groundwater, and installing support structures to ensure tunnels don't collapse.
The proposed extension of Metro Rail to Amherst is still awaiting implementation, despite the nation's new $1.2 trillion infrastructure package focusing on New York City megaprojects. The Rev. Godwin Manuel, pastor of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church on Niagara Falls Boulevard, has expressed concerns about the cost, time, and effort involved, especially considering the significant deficits of both New York State and the federal government.
The project is expected to reduce vehicle miles traveled in the area by about 45,000 miles a day and remove nearly 14.3 million grams per day of greenhouse gas emissions. Above ground, the largest construction impacts may come from temporary road closures, additional noise, and air pollution. However, after construction, the project would have additional impacts, including vibrations and noises created by the trains running along the tracks.
Despite the challenges, the project is expected to improve the quality of life for those who live adjacent to the project, as well as broadly for everyone in the region. The draft EIS is open for public comments until Sept. 8 and a public hearing will be held on Aug. 19 at Sweet Home Middle School, 4150 Maple Road, Amherst.
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