One town parcel is located between Forest Avenue Extension, and Busti-Stillwater Road. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

BUSTI – As a preliminary measure, representatives from the state Department of Transportation on Monday spoke to Busti Town officials and private property owners about proposed changes to the five-way intersection.

In an April 16 letter to town officials, the DOT is preparing to acquire property needed for the proposed reconstruction of pedestrian signals, curb ramps, and sidewalks to be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), said DOT Real Estate Specialist Susanne Eddy. The DOT noted that requirements for pedestrian accessibility will be at various locations within Chautauqua County. She also mentioned that other sidewalks are located in Erie and Niagara counties.

Eddy said that the work that will be done will include two parcels of land that are owned by the town, and two parcels on private properties.

The first town parcel is located between Forest Avenue Extension, and Busti-Stillwater Road, and the second town parcel is located in front of the Busti Volunteer Fire Department, across from the first parcel.

She said no work will begin before spring or summer in 2027.

Eddy said that she is responsible for only land acquisition, and not the proposed redesign of the intersection.

Alex Enright, DOT real estate specialist, who will be appraising the parcels, said that the DOT is going to make the sidewalk portions wider to be ADA compliant.

Supervisor Jesse Robbins asked Eddy if the proposed intersection project will impact the town’s District 7 Water Expansion Project, and Eddy said that he would have to contact the intersection’s project designers.

The proposed $5.82 million water expansion was approved in May 2024, and is a 2.1 mile loop that begins at the 5-way intersection, in Busti, at Busti-Sugar Grove Road to Lawson Road to Mill Road to the intersection to complete the loop. The proposed expansion is expected to service about 106 users.

The proposed water storage tank will be located on Orr Street, and will be connected, and maintained by the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.

For the water project, Busti was awarded a New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. Water Infrastructure Improvement and Intermunicipal Grant of $4,072,740 or 70 percent of the project’s cost.

According to efc.ny.gov, Gov. Kathy Hochul in December 2025, announced $453 million in grants for 83 critical water infrastructure projects across New York state through the WIIA Grant programs. The grants deliver on Hochul’s clean water and affordability agendas and reinforce the state’s commitment to helping small, rural and disadvantaged communities with their water infrastructure needs. By providing critical financial relief to local governments across the state, Hochul is accelerating projects that protect public health and the environment, ensuring that state residents have access to safe, clean water.

For more information email susanne.eddy@dot.ny.gov or call (716) 847-3193.