Multi-Modal Transportation
The Buffalo Niagara region is a critical freight transportation hub well-served by an extensive highway, rail, port and aviation network.
Trade is a major component of the US economy. In 2016, the U.S. moved more than $3.6 trillion in goods internationally, or nearly $9.9 billion on average each day. The Buffalo Niagara region handled $78.4 billion of trade with Canada in 2015, nearly 15% of the all trade with our nation’s largest trade partner.
Air:
Integrated express and commercial passenger carrier air-cargo activity within the region is concentrated at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) with additional all-cargo service provided at the Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA). Both offer excellent access to Interstate and State highways and are near U.S.-Canada border crossings.
Highway:
The region’s 3,675-mile network of major interstates, state routes and local arterial roads is a critical factor in enabling effective connections for the region’s economy, with approximately 75% of the region’s freight travels by truck. Due to the heavy reliance on truck transportation, the highway system is paramount in the efficient movement of freight.
The Primary Freight System consists of major interstates or key state routes that carry the most amount of truck traffic. These routes provide connectivity across the region and typically extend beyond the study area to other states and key markets and includes: I-90 (NYS Thruway), I-290 (Youngmann Expwy.), I-190 (Niagara Expwy.), and I-990 (Lockport Expwy.).
Rail:
Served by four Class I railroads, one Class II (or Regional) railroad, and three Class III (or Short Line) railroads, Class I Railroads are line-haul railroads earning revenues of more than $68.8 Billion. Four of the seven US Class I Railroads operate in this region, including CSX Transportation (CSX), Norfolk Southern (NS), Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), and Canadian National Railway (CN).
Water:
The Port of Buffalo consists of 28 terminals, including the three terminals of the Gateway Trade Center–Metroport. Unlike nearly all other terminals in the Port—which are private facilities serving the owning company’s business—the Gateway Metroport is a third-party-operated terminal.