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Buffalo Storm Leads to Delay in Inner Loop Project

Rochester wants to fill in this section of the moat-like Inner Loop. The mayor thinks a final design will up the odds of landing federal funding
Friscocali / via Flickr
Rochester wants to fill in this section of the moat-like Inner Loop. The mayor thinks a final design will up the odds of landing federal funding

If you're one of those who will miss driving on the Inner Loop when a section of it closes for construction, you can thank the Buffalo snowstorm for a delay in the project.

Just over a quarter-mile portion of the Inner Loop was originally scheduled to close tomorrow (Friday).  But city engineer Jim McIntosh tells WXXI News that some of the contractor's equipment is buried under feet of snow in Buffalo.

Construction is now scheduled to start on Wednesday. McIntosh isn't sure if the Inner Loop will be closed before or after the morning rush hour.

He said detours will be posted. "Clockwise, basically going from north to south, you'll have to exit the Inner Loop at Scio Street or University coming from that direction. If you're coming on the southern half, you'll exit right at the Monroe Avenue/Chestnut Street exit."

The first visible signs of construction will happen with the demolition of the Broad Street bridge sometime this winter. The actual filling of the Inner Loop won't happen until the weather breaks in the spring.

Beth Adams joined WXXI as host of Morning Edition in 2012 after a more than two-decade radio career. She was the longtime host of the WHAM Morning News in Rochester. Her career also took her from radio stations in Elmira, New York, to Miami, Florida.