Metro Rail Expansion (University Station to Amherst)

Alignment

The extension runs roughly 7 miles north from Metro Rail’s current terminus at University Station on UB’s South Campus, through the towns of Amherst and Tonawanda, to a new terminus at UB North Campus near Interstate 990. Ten above-ground stations are planned, two of them with park-and-ride facilities.

The locally preferred alignment exits University Station beneath Kenmore Avenue and runs underground (about 0.8 miles) to Niagara Falls Boulevard, surfacing north of Kenilworth Avenue. From there the line runs at-grade along Niagara Falls Boulevard to Maple Road, over to Sweet Home Road, and onto the UB North Campus via Audubon Parkway — with a second short underground segment near the Maple/Sweet Home Road intersection. The corridor has been studied for over a decade as a way to connect downtown Buffalo directly to UB’s largest campus, currently served only by bus.

Updates

2026-02 — FTA issues Final EIS and Record of Decision

The Federal Transit Administration completed its review of the three studied alternatives — light rail, bus rapid transit, and no-build — and concluded that the light rail extension best meets the corridor’s economic and environmental goals. NFTA is proceeding with the rail option. Federal and local funding approvals, along with final design, remain before construction can begin; NFTA has cited a groundbreaking target around 2030.

2025-08 — Public hearing on Draft EIS

NFTA held a public hearing at Sweet Home Middle School, drawing 67 speakers with mixed reactions — UB students and environmental advocates largely supportive, some Amherst residents raising concerns about the at-grade Niagara Falls Boulevard segment.

2025 — Cost estimate updated

Updated estimates put the light rail alternative at roughly $2.0-2.5 billion, versus $0.9-1.1 billion for the bus rapid transit alternative that was ultimately not selected.