Buffalo, New York, Jan 15, 2026, 08:45 EST
- New York has scheduled repairs for five bridges spanning Route 33 in Buffalo and Cheektowaga
- The state says work might begin in spring 2027, with some crossings requiring off-site detours
- This week, transportation officials held a public meeting to brief residents on what lies ahead
On Wednesday evening, New York State transportation officials updated locals on a plan to renovate five bridges spanning Route 33, the Kensington Expressway, local outlets reported. Construction could kick off in spring 2027, with traffic detours expected during certain phases of the work.
The timing is critical since Route 33 serves as a key east-west route into Buffalo’s East Side and the airport corridor. Even brief bridge closures can push traffic onto local streets that aren’t designed to handle highway-level flows.
The meeting took the form of an open house, with transportation officials on hand to answer questions and gather feedback individually, a local report said. It was held at the Martha P. Mitchell Community Center on Oakmont Avenue.
NYSDOT said the project will concentrate on fixing concrete and steel, replacing bridge bearings — the components that allow a bridge to expand and move slightly — and changing out rails and fences. The agency added that the plan includes sealing concrete, painting steel, and treating bridge decks to help extend the lifespan of these structures.
NYSDOT said some bridges will require off-site detours to ensure crew safety. While the department didn’t provide a detailed construction phasing plan in its announcement, it cautioned drivers to prepare for rerouted traffic once work starts.
The Buffalo News covered the state’s efforts to gather input on its five-bridge plan, with DOT seeking feedback long before construction begins.
Residents seeking a sign-language interpreter or assistive listening system for upcoming outreach can reach out to Regional Structures Engineer Geoff R. Gross at NYSDOT’s Buffalo office, the agency said.
Bridge work near Route 33 isn’t new for Erie County. Back in June 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off a separate $9.9 million project to rehab three county bridges, including the ones on Fillmore Avenue and Grider Street over Route 33. She emphasized the state’s focus on rebuilding infrastructure.
NYSDOT is also moving forward with a wider public engagement effort on Route 33’s long-term future as part of its Queen City Forward initiative. Listening sessions are set for later this month and early February, according to the project website.
The 2027 bridge schedule remains a projection and could shift. Final design, bidding processes, and Western New York weather all have the potential to alter the timeline. Extended detours would be the fastest route from a straightforward bridge project to a daily nuisance for commuters.
