$18.8M Robert Moses Parkway conversion to start

Work on converting a one-mile stretch of the Robert Moses Parkway South into a more pedestrian and tourist-friendly roadway has started.

Crews from Mark Cerrone Inc. have started the $18.8 million project along the southern segment of the busy Niagara Falls parkway that will turn into something closer to the original "riverway" vision created by Frederick Law Olmsted. Gone will be the elevated expressway that was built in the early 1960s and in its place will be a new, green-like design that serves as a key entryway into the Niagara State Reservation Park and the American falls.

"It is indisputable that Niagara Falls has one of the world's greatest waterfronts, but for more than one generation residents, visitors and businesses have been cut off from that resource by the Robert Moses Parkway," said Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. "Reconnecting the city to its iconic Niagara River waterfront will not only be a major economic benefit; it will also help our residents to recover their sense of identity and self-confidence as we work to accelerate the development of our tourism industry."

Part of the project includes removing the elevated interchange at John B. Daly Boulevard near the entrance to the state park. Also being removed is an earthen berm.

A new roundabout is planned for that area.

Walking paths, nature viewing areas and a water feature that recalls the former Port Day Pond that was filled in five decades ago to make way for the Robert Moses Parkway will be added.

Much of the work will be completed by next fall, but some park landscaping will not be finished until spring 2016.

James Fink covers real estate, commercial development and government