NYSDOT to Conduct Full Environmental Study of Buffalo’s Kensington Expressway Project

BUFFALO – Following a successful 2024 lawsuit by the New York Civil Liberties Union and a court order earlier this year, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announced today that it will conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of Buffalo’s Kensington Expressway redevelopment plan. In response, the NYCLU released the following statement attributable to Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union’s Racial Justice Center. 

“The NYSDOT’s commitment to conduct an EIS is a major win for the predominately Black community living near the project site, whose concerns have been too often dismissed.  

“The community deserves a redevelopment plan that meets the moment by providing strong air quality protections and mitigation measures. Conducting an EIS is the only way to achieve that. 

“The NYCLU will continue to work hard to ensure that the voices and concerns of impacted residents are front and center during this process. Buffalo residents deserve nothing less.” 

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