Empire State Development Corporation this week unanimously approved the U$400,000 allocation to its Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation subsidiary. This meets a local match funding requirement for the study, triggering an 80% contribution from a Federal Highway Administration programme.

Parson Brinckerhoff's study will review the replacement of the former South Michigan Avenue Bridge that connected Buffalo's inner and outer harbours. The study will include site analysis, preliminary engineering and an environmental review for the proposed bridge.