Transit Options Canalside Cobblestone

1. CONSULTING TEAMSTUDY PARTNERS
Surface Transportation Committee
Dec. 21, 2015

2. 1. Project Status
2. Summary of Public & Stakeholder Input
3. Strategies Applicable Study Area-Wide
4. Summary of Two Alternatives
5. Evaluation of Two Alternatives
6. Next Steps

3.  Developing Two Alternatives for Evaluation.
 Stakeholder Roundtable & Public Input.
 Internal NFTA Meetings.
 Obtain Direction on Further Developing an Alternative.

4. Study Area-Wide Strategies

5. “Canalside Station”
Remove Special Events Station/
New Double Crossover
Improve Access To/From Amtrak
Support New
Amtrak Station
Streetscape Enhancements
Improve Access To/From First Ward
Improve Connection Between
Canalside & Cobblestone
Riverwalk Improvements
Support TOD
Redevelopment
Adaptive to Outer Harbor Access
Bricks for Buffalo

6. Summary of 2 Alternatives

9.  Requires Reconstruction of South Park (11’ lanes);
 Can Operate with DL&W Work as Later Phase;
 Rework of Yard;
 Maintains Track 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12;
 Ability to Backload Station;
 Reconfigure Loop - Only Access to Shop Track 1;
 Shop Track 2 & 3 have to be front loaded.

13.  Rework of Yard;
 Maintains Track 4, 5, 7. Provides Track 5a;
 Ability to Backload Station;
 Maintains Loop, Access to Shop Track 1, 2 & 3;
 Requires DL&W Work;
 Loss of Storage.

20. Evaluation of Alternatives

21.  Metro Rail Operations
 Maintenance and Storage
 User Convenience
 Safety and Security
 Right-of-Way
 Multimodal Connectivity
 Future Expansion
 DL&W 2nd Floor Reuse
 Redevelopment Potential

22. Pros Cons
 Minimal impact on Metro Rail service
and scheduling
 Eliminates Special Events Station
 Maintain existing storage capacity
 Upgrade yard infrastructure
 Opportunity to phase improvements
to DL&W
 Provides improved transit access and
connectivity in study area
 Higher visibility of Metro Rail
 Accommodates future expansion
along South Park or NFTA ROW
 Provides access and invites users to
2nd floor of DL&W
 Promotes redevelopment of
Cobblestone District
 Significant construction impacts on
yard operations
 Potential impact on shop operations
 Potential conflict between Metro Rail
riders and vehicle traffic
 Requires total reconstruction of South
Park Avenue
 Requires full length high-level station
platform
 Exposure to weather

23. Pros Cons
 Minimal impact on Metro Rail service
and scheduling
 Eliminates Special Events Station
 Upgrade yard infrastructure
 No impact to shop operations
 Coatless connections – sheltered
from weather
 Provides improved transit access and
connectivity in study area
 Complete separation of Metro Rail
and vehicle traffic – track remains on
NFTA property
 Requires minor reconstruction of
South Park Ave for station entrances
 Accommodates futures expansion
along NFTA ROW
 Provides access and brings users
directly to 2nd floor of DL&W
 Promotes redevelopment of
Cobblestone District
 Reduces vehicle and equipment
storage capacity
 Requires immediate upgrades to
DL&W
 Requires additional security between
public and non-public areas

24. Item Alternative A Alternative B
Road Work $1,780,000 $730,000
Station $4,900,000 $3,400,000
Pedestrian Corridors/ Bridges &
Elevators/ Stairs
$6,000,000 $12,000,000
Trackwork $2,390,000 $2,278,922
OCS Modifications $2,510,000 $2,457,227
Signals & Communications $800,000 $1,295,520
Building Modifications - $1,500,000
ESTIMATED SUBTOTAL $18,380,000 $23,661,669
Escalation to 2018 (2% per year) $1,126,000 $1,448,331
40% Contingency $7,800,000 $10,040,000
TOTAL CAPITAL COSTS $27,306,000 $35,150,000
Engineering/ Design $5,470,000 $7,030,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL $32,776,000 $42,180,000

25. Next Steps

26. Chose an Alternative to Move Forward;
 Further Develop Chosen Alternative and Area Strategies;
 Identify Environmental and Permitting Requirements;
 Identify Financing Options;
 Final Report