Bailey Ave Bus Rapid Transit
City of Buffalo, Erie County, New York
Creighton Manning is leading a consultant team responsible for delivering a transformative transit initiative in Buffalo, New York. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), selected Creighton Manning for the planning and design of Buffalo’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along Bailey Avenue, the fourth busiest route in the NFTA-Metro system. This project aims to deliver high-quality, efficient transit service that meets the evolving needs of the community while promoting safety, accessibility, and economic development. This project grew out of prior planning done by NFTA, the City of Buffalo, Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council, and is moving forward with their collaboration and support, as well as other agency partners like NYSDOT, Buffalo Water Authority and Buffalo Sewer Authority.
The Bailey Avenue BRT project includes a range of infrastructure improvements from transit priority features including queue jump lanes, bus only lanes, and transit signal priority, and new BRT stations, to general upgrades to the corridor with paving in sections, new or repaired sidewalk and streetscaping (trees, lights, etc.) and safety measures like crosswalks and pedestrian ramps. These enhancements will improve mobility along the corridor, elevate the transit experience, and help drive reinvestment in surrounding neighborhoods. In support of this important work, NFTA was awarded a $102 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to design and construct a low- or no-emission BRT line.
Phase I – Pre-Engineering is now complete, and Phase II – Engineering officially launched in July 2025. NFTA has emphasized the importance of public engagement throughout the project’s development and it will remain a key focus during design development and construction. Phase II – Engineering runs through late 2026 and construction is estimated to be finished by 2028. Additional information about the project is available at the project website https://baileyavebrt.com/
Creighton Manning is honored to support NFTA on this landmark effort to bring next-generation transit service to Buffalo’s East Side.
This project was selected for the Public Outreach Award by the Western New York Section of the American Planning Association.
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