Over $50 million to be invested in countywide infrastructure
ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Public Works’ Highways Division is preparing for a robust schedule of road and bridge work planned for 2026, involving more than $50 million in investments for projects spanning the county. Major reconstruction projects account for the largest portion of the total investment, at over $41 million, while road and bridge infrastructure projects account for the remainder. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined Commissioner of Public Works William Geary and Town of Amherst Supervisor Shawn Lavin on Maple Road in Amherst to present the road package; Phase II of the Maple Rd. reconstruction project, a $3 million county-funded investment, is included in the package.
“2026 will be a very busy year for road construction as we are investing over $50 million in infrastructure across the county, with major road and bridge projects planned along with routine maintenance and preservation tasks. We are also investing heavily in reconstruction projects to improve major routes throughout the county, such as Elmwood Avenue, Borden Road, McKinley Parkway and others,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Winter is difficult on our roads and bridges every year and we must respond accordingly to maintain and improve that critical infrastructure.”
More than $3 million will be invested in 12.85 miles of mill and overlay projects across four highway districts:
- In the Concord district, Genesee Rd. from Rte. 240 to Pratham Rd., 1.51 miles
- In the Aurora district, Center from Crump to Holland Glenwood, 1.14 miles
- In the Harlem district, Aero Dr. from Youngs circle to Wehrle (.76 miles) and Indian Church from Buffalo City Line to Mineral Springs (1.47 miles)
- In the Hamburg district, Boston State Rd. from Mill to Zimmerman (5.27 miles), Webster Rte. 277 to Rte. 20 (1.2 miles), and Pleasant Ave. from RR to I-90 overpass (1.5 miles).
Over $41.7 million in reconstruction projects dominate the infrastructure investment for 2026, with many major county roadways involved:
- Elmwood Ave. from Knoche to Kenmore Ave., a 1.45-mile stretch, will be reconstructed at a cost of $9.7 million
- $4.7 million will be invested in the reconstruction of 2 miles of McKinley Pkwy. from Quinby Rd. to Southwestern Blvd.
- $7.5 million is earmarked for Phase III of the Borden Rd. reconstruction project, covering 1.13 miles from French Rd. to Seneca Creek
- The county will invest $3 million for Phase II of the Maple Rd. project, covering 1.5 miles from North Forest to the bridge over the I-290 and including the bridge spanning Ellicott Creek
- Bailey Ave. from Grover Cleveland to Sheridan Dr. will see $7.8 million in federal aid to reconstruct 1.2 miles of road
- Five miles of Greiner Rd. (from Anfield – Salt, 4.57 miles) and Eggert Rd. (from Sugar to City Line, .56 miles) are scheduled for $3.5 million in road work
- A $5.5 million investment is planned for North Forest Rd. (from maple to Dodge) and Bowen Rd. (from Seneca to Rice Rd.)
More than 17 miles of county roads are scheduled to receive cold recycle with top course treatment, representing an investment of over $3.6 million:
- In the Clarence district, Roll from Goodrich to Shimerville (1.26 miles), Bullis from Three Rod to County Line (1.55 miles), Thompson from Clarence Center to Roll (1 mile), and Stahley (entirety, 2.74 miles)
- In the Aurora district, warner Hill from Rte. 16 to Vermont Hill (2.06 miles), Curriers Sardinia from Rte. 16 to Miller (1.13 miles), and Phillips from Partridge to Holland Glenwood (1.5 miles).
- In the Harlem district, Tonawanda Creek from Hopkins to Transit (3.16 miles)
- In the Concord district, Gowanda Zoar from S. Quaker to Lone Rd. (2.26 miles) and Gowanda Zoar from RR to S. Quaker (.81 miles).
Oil & Chip is back and bigger than ever in 2026, with 45.6 miles of roads in outlying areas receiving this maintenance process from a $1.5 million investment.
Other significant projects include a $2.3 million reconstruction of the Four Rod Road bridge in Marilla and a similar $1.8 million project on the Sharp St. bridge in Concord. Large culverts will be replaced on Jennings Rd., Lein Rd. and Belscher Rd. in the Towns of Concord, Collins and West Seneca, representing a $2 million investment. Two other large culverts will be installed on Back Creek Rd. in Boston, another $2 million investment.
For more information:
On the EC Department of Public Works, visit https://www3.erie.gov/dpw/
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