Inner Loop North project gets $100 million boost

The city of Rochester will receive $100 million in federal funds for its Inner Loop North Transformation Project. The project aims to reconnect downtown to neighborhoods isolated from the city’s center by the Inner Loop.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities program, an initiative designed to address the repercussions of previous transportation infrastructure decisions. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Joe Morelle championed Rochester’s cause, officials say.

“When the Inner Loop was built it cut through the heart of Rochester, fractured neighborhoods, increased pollution, and left scars of systemic inequality that are felt to this day,” Schumer said. “Federal highway policies led to the creation of the concrete walls of the Inner Loop that held back the downtown from reaching its full potential, but, today the federal government is stepping up to right that historical wrong. With this final piece of the puzzle, Rochester’s Inner Loop has the final greenlight it needs to move this project forward.

“We are making Rochester a national model for the future of transportation policy and reconnecting communities,” he added. “Rochester’s next chapter begins today.”

The project will replace a 1.5-mile segment of the grade-separated Inner Loop Expressway with an accessible, multimodal, at-grade network of complete streets. It includes a $123 million commitment from New York and the city of Rochester to complete design and construction.

“This incredible $100 million investment in Rochester’s Inner Loop North Transformation Project positions our city for lasting progress,” said Rochester Mayor Malik Evans. “We are deeply grateful to Sen. Schumer, Sen. Gillibrand, and Congressman Morelle for their tireless advocacy and partnership in securing these funds. This project will be instrumental in reconnecting our city, healing the damage of the past, and creating bold opportunities for our future.”

Cody Donahue, director of policy and advocacy at Reconnect Rochester, views the project as a way to convert a freeway into a walkable, bikeable neighborhood.

“Along with the expansion of the Intermodal Station to include buses, the Inner Loop North fill-in will bring greater equity and connectivity to downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods,” he said.

Neighborhood representatives also voiced their support, as did state Sens. Jeremy Cooney and Samra Brouk, and Assemblyman Demond Meeks.

“For far too long, the Inner Loop has tragically severed the fabric of our neighborhoods, casting a long shadow of disconnection and neglect,” said Antonio Apollonio and Martin Pedraza, chairs of the Marketview Heights Collective Action Project in a joint statement. “This funding presents a unique and long-awaited opportunity to rectify this historical injustice and foster equitable development that uplifts our families and addresses the profound harm inflicted by the Inner Loop’s construction in the 1960s.  

“We understand this is more than just a construction project; it represents a chance to fulfill our community members’ long-held dreams and aspirations. We have tirelessly advocated for revitalizing this vital part of our city, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to witness its flourishing finally.”

In 2022, the city completed the Inner Loop North Transformation Planning Study and City Grid Restoration as a concept to redesign the roadway. Inner Loop East, which focused on the two-thirds-of-a-mile stretch from Monroe Avenue to Charlotte Street, also aimed to connect neighborhoods. Union Street is now walkable with bike lanes, landscaping and wide sidewalks while housing units have sprung up—roughly 500—and changed the look of the area. The project also played a role in spurring expansion at the Strong National Museum of Play.

City officials and lawmakers have long viewed the Inner Loop North Transformation Project as one with a much bigger potential impact. 

Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing  [email protected].