Utica is a Buffalo Metro Rail station located at the corner of Main and East Utica Streets. The station was formerly known at the shortened "Utica" name until December 29, 2021, when it was named as the Robert Traynham Coles Utica Station, named after a deceased architect that worked in the design of the Utica station.[3]
Utica | |||||||||||
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 Utica station in May 2020 | |||||||||||
| General information | |||||||||||
| Location | 1375 Main Street Buffalo, New York | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°54′41″N 78°51′57″W / 42.911272°N 78.865893°W | ||||||||||
| Owned by | NFTA | ||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 side platforms | ||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | ||||||||||
| Construction | |||||||||||
| Structure type | Underground | ||||||||||
| Depth | 40 feet (12 m) | ||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||
| Fare zone | Paid fare | ||||||||||
| History | |||||||||||
| Opened | May 18, 1985[1] | ||||||||||
| Passengers | |||||||||||
| 2017 | 439,865[2] | ||||||||||
| Services | |||||||||||
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Bus routes
editUtica is one of four stations that offers a bus loop, requiring passengers to board/debark using curbside stops (the other three being University, LaSalle and Delavan/Canisius College) and one of only two that has a driveway for bus lines that connect with Metro Rail (the other being Delavan/Canisius College). Route 8 buses heading toward Marine Drive do not board at the curb on the same side as the station, which is served by three bus routes:
Boarding from Bus Loop:
- 12 Utica (outbound)
- 13 Kensington (outbound)
Boarding on Main Street:
- 8 Main
Boarding on East Utica Street:
- 12 Utica (inbound)
Artwork
editIn 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. Utica is home of three pieces of work, from Margie Hughto (Syracuse), George Smith (Houston) and Craig Langager (New York City). Margie Hughto offers a heavily glazed clay painting covering the interior wall of the concourse level and then descending to the lower level.
Notable places nearby
editUtica Station is located near:
- Brylin Hospital
- Cold Spring Bus Garage
- NFTA Transit Police headquarters
George Smith offers a large stainless steel sculpture based on the art and architecture of the Dogon people of Africa. When passing the sculpture, it appears to be in motion. The work of Craig Langager is very easy to recognize on the platforms at train level. His four figures, The Listener (with birds), The Portrait Maker (holding a mirror), The Stagehand (with weights and mask) and The Choreographer-Seneca Man (animal persona), are metal figures paired on either platform.
References
edit- ^ McPhillips, Jody (May 19, 1985). "Future of Buffalo's Downtown Rides on City's New Subway". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. pp. 1B, 4B. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Metro Rail Expansion Project Final Scoping Document" (PDF). May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ WGRZ staff. "Utica station renamed to honor local architect Robert T. Coles". WGRZ-Channel 2, Buffalo NY. WGRZ Channel 2. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
