NYSDOT to reduce speed limit for portion of Route 5

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will reduce the speed limit on a portion of Route 5 in Hamburg and Evans after it conducted a three-year traffic engineering investigation.

According to a letter from the NYSDOT obtained by WIVB News 4, the speed limit will be lowered from 55 mph to 50 mph on Route 5 from Derby Road to Old Lakeshore Road. The investigation also determined that the section of road could “benefit from additional intersection warning signage and vegetation clearing.”

A crash analysis, which took place from 2020 to 2023, found a total of 100 crashes throughout the portion of Route 5, with 52 involving animals, the letter said. A total of 19 crashes out of the 48 that didn’t involve animals still resulted in injuries.

In June 2024, 8-year-old Thomas Ross of Blasdell was killed in a crash on Route 5 when Heather Van Elk, 35 and of Blasdell, stopped to turn left onto North Creek Road and was allegedly hit from behind by 52-year-old Markus Genovese of Angola.

Genovese was charged with DWI, first and second-degree vehicular manslaughter, and more.

The NYSDOT said it has started a capital project after its review of traffic, crashes and conditions along the portion of Route 5, which includes the evaluation of alternatives for improving safety.

“Preliminary design alternatives will include options for installing turn lanes at the intersections and/or the potential for reducing travel lanes and installing a two-way center turn lane,” the letter said.

The updates to Route 5 will be done as weather and resources allow, the NYSDOT said.

Latest Local News

Learning about Irish Wolfhounds, an ancient dog breed

Mayoral candidate Ryan: State audit of city would be conducted

Former BPS music teacher pleads guilty for attempting to meet teen

Southwestern school district affected by cyberattack

Photos: Overnight lunar eclipse makes sky a little bit darker

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.