Niagara Falls, New York

The Project

A major crossing point in the North End of Niagara Falls, a five-way intersection was reimagined to increase pedestrian safety, lower dangerous high speeds, and improve the overall wellbeing of the neighborhood. Vehicle lanes were narrowed, forcing traffic to slow as they approached the intersection. Crosswalks were installed across four lanes, where before there were no crosswalks, with shortened crossing distances to improved pedestrian safety.

The curb extensions and center roadway mural, totaling just over 4,500 square feet and defined by plastic traffic bollards, were designed and painted under the direction of Tyshaun Tyson, the Artist Development Manager for the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, with the help of 10 volunteers and 8 National Heritage Area staff members over the course of three days. The design was inspired by movement and the energy found in everyday urban spaces, and merges creativity with the natural flow of the neighborhood.

Best Practice Highlight: Building a sense of community ownership

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area is an organization deeply rooted in the local community, and as such, it was important that the community take part in creating the artwork. Students from nearby Abate Elementary assisted with the installation on all three days, and nearby local business owners assisted each evening. By involving the community members who would utilize this intersection the most, they became invested in the outcome of the project and in further creating a safer and more connected neighborhood.

• 45%-53% decrease in average vehicle speed
• Recorded high speeds through intersection dropped an average of 10
  miles per hour
• 12% increase in pedestrian foot traffic

Use the slider to see the transformation