NYSDOT announces next 2 'Queen City Forward' public listening sessions in Buffalo

Community invited to share comments, questions & insights on Kensington Expressway

New York State Department of Transportation press release

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced two upcoming public listening sessions for “Queen City Forward,” NYSDOT's community-driven effort to reimagine the Kensington Expressway (state Route 33) and enhance transportation in Western New York.

The sessions will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Canisius University, Science Hall Commons, 1901 Main St., Buffalo; and Thursday, May 7, at PS 309 East Community High School, 820 Northampton St., Buffalo.

“We are pleased to announce the next two meetings will take place near the Kensington Expressway and Humboldt Parkway. We look forward to connecting with residents in areas that could be directly impacted by a potential future project,” Dominguez said. “By partnering with trusted community institutions like Canisius University and Buffalo Public Schools, we hope to continue to expand our outreach and gather meaningful ideas and feedback from residents.”

These open-house-style evening sessions build on the momentum from prior engagements, including the recent session hosted by the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers, another trusted community partner, in Buffalo. These will be the sixth and seventh sessions in a series of public listening sessions, providing additional opportunities for the public to share ideas, offer feedback, and speak directly with NYSDOT representatives – underscoring NYSDOT’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, transparent community involvement at every stage of this exercise.

Each session will feature informational displays and allow attendees to provide comments directly to NYSDOT representatives, who will be available to listen and answer questions. Input from these and all sessions will help refine the project scope, inform detailed analyses, and guide future decision-making.

Everyone is welcome to attend any listening session, regardless of where they live. The voices and experiences of residents who live near the Kensington Expressway remain especially important, and NYSDOT values everyone’s input in this process.

For more information, visit the “Queen City Forward” website at QueenCityForward.dot.ny.gov. It serves as a dedicated online hub with details on community outreach, project updates, frequently asked questions, and options for feedback, including a virtual listening session survey. NYSDOT encourages the community to follow “Queen City Forward” on social media for the latest updates on Facebook, Instagram and X.