Reconstruction of Fuhrmann Boulevard

The $54.5 million reconstruction of Fuhrmann Boulevard set the stage for redevelopment of Buffalo’s Outer Harbor waterfront area. The project replaced an unsafe maze of one-way streets with a tree-lined, low-speed parkway parallel to the Harbor. This new parkway, which evokes the work of famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, offers biking and pedestrian amenities and makes it much easier to access the Harbor. Fuhrmann Boulevard is also the basis of a new circulation system for the Outer Harbor and the starting point for a planned bridge or series of bridges to connect it with the rest of Buffalo. Urban provided resident engineering services for the effort, under a term contract with the New York State Department of Transportation.

Between Tifft Street and South Michigan Avenue, the Boulevard was reconstructed as a two-way, four- lane street on the west side of NYS Route 5, with on-street parking. Additionally, a new diamond interchange and ramp reconfiguration improved access to NYS Route 5 from Fuhrmann Boulevard, Tifft Street, and destinations at the Outer Harbor. Furthermore, a new roundabout connects NYS Route 5 with Fuhrmann Boulevard and provides a gateway to the Buffalo Outer Harbor islands.

Landscaping features trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennial flowers, as well as planted earth berms and boulders. Decorative lighting was also installed to make the Boulevard usable day or night.

The improvement has made it easier for people to visit Outer Harbor and made the waterfront land surrounding the parkway an exciting public destination.

Highlights

• Construction management
• Roadway reconstruction, diamond interchange, roundabout, and landscaping
• Waterfront access
• High-profile project