LaSalle station (Buffalo Metro Rail)

LaSalle is a Buffalo Metro Rail underground station located at the corner of Main Street and LaSalle Avenue and is one stop from the northern terminus. Original drafting plans had the station used as a turnout between the current Metro Rail line and three proposed extensions; the Tonawanda Line, which would extend service into the cities of Tonawanda and Niagara Falls; the North Buffalo Line, which would extend service to Elmwood Avenue on an abandoned railroad right-of-way between Hertel and Kenmore Avenues; and the East Buffalo line, to connect the Main Street line with the proposed Airport Line, carrying passengers to the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport.[2] The only visible sign of the turnout is located below ground by way of partially finished tunnel just west of the LaSalle station platforms. From May 20, 1985 to November 10, 1986, due to construction issues at LaSalle station, Amherst Street station served as the northern terminus. Since November 10, 1986, University station serves as the northern terminus.

LaSalle
LaSalle station headhouse as seen in November 2019
General information
Location3030 Main Street
Buffalo, New York
Coordinates42°56′53″N 78°49′48″W / 42.947928°N 78.83011°W / 42.947928; -78.83011
Owned byNFTA
Platforms2 inter-connected side platforms
Tracks2
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Depth47 feet (14 m)
Parking800 park and ride spaces
Other information
Fare zonePaid fare
History
OpenedNovember 10, 1986; 37 years ago (1986-11-10)
Passengers
2017232,017[1]
Services
Preceding station NFTA Following station
Amherst Street Metro Rail University
Terminus
Location
Map

Bus connections

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LaSalle station is one of four stations that offers an off-road bus loop, requiring passengers to board/debark using curbside stops (the other three being University, Delavan/Canisius College and Utica) and one of only two that has only one route serving the station (the other being Humboldt-Hospital):

  • 8 Main

Artwork

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In 1979, an art selection committee was created, composed of NFTA commissioners and Buffalo area art experts, that would judge the artwork that would be displayed in and on the properties of eight stations on the Metro Rail line. Out of the 70 proposals submitted, 22 were chosen and are currently positioned inside and outside of the eight underground stations.[3] LaSalle station is home of one piece of artwork, from Richard Gubernick of Buffalo.

Notable places nearby

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LaSalle Station is near:

References

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  1. ^ "Metro Rail Expansion Project Final Scoping Document" (PDF). May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  2. ^ Davepape (April 15, 2011). File:NFTA Annual Report 1974-1975 13.jpg (photograph). Retrieved May 15, 2013. {{cite AV media}}: External link in |people= (help)
  3. ^ Buffalo Art in Transit, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, c. 1986.
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