October 09, 2026
Improvements along State Street will help buses move more efficiently and make it safer to bus routes
ALBANY, NY (October 9, 2026) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) has begun construction on the Red Line Update project, a major effort to improve transit service, pedestrian safety, and customer experience along State Street (Route 5) in Schenectady and Niskayuna. The first phase of the project will update BRT stations in Schenectady from Veeder/Nott to Niskayuna.
The Red Line Update builds on CDTA’s ongoing investment in BusPlus service and incorporates transit-priority features that have been developed since the Red Line launched in 2011. The project also includes pedestrian safety improvements made possible through a federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant.
“The Red Line has been a cornerstone of CDTA’s system for 15 years and remains our highest-ridership route,” said CDTA CEO Frank Annicaro. “This project allows us to take what we have learned from operating and expanding our BusPlus network and bring those improvements to the Red Line. We’re making it easier for buses to move through the corridor while also creating safer connections for people walking, biking, and accessing transit.”
The Red Line has also received improvements through CDTA’s Red Line Refresh initiative, which began in 2023. Station upgrades have included new LED lighting, larger BusPlus pylons, and heated snow-melt pads that help keep passenger waiting areas clear of snow and ice.
The next phase of improvements will focus on transit priority and pedestrian safety. Phase 1 of the Red Line Update includes:
- Transit Signal Priority Upgrades: There will be transit signal priority upgrades at 29 intersections along State Street in Schenectady and Niskayuna, allowing traffic signals to better accommodate approaching buses.
- Bus Queue Jump: Seven bus queue jump lanes will be added to allow buses to move more efficiently through intersections and merge back into traffic, helping reduce delays and improve on-time performance.
- Sidewalk Repairs and Replacements: This will be done to improve pedestrian access along the corridor.
- New and refreshed crosswalks: These will improve visibility of the pedestrian and connections to other stations. This will also include upgraded pedestrian signals at key locations
- Intersection Bump-Outs: These will be at select locations near bus stops to improve pedestrian safety and shorten crossing distances.
- Relocation of Bus Stop: The stop that is currently at Division Street will be relocated to McClellan Street, improving access to upgraded pedestrian facilities.
“These improvements are about more than moving buses faster,” said CDTA Board Chair Peter Wohl. “We’re looking at the entire experience from the moment someone walks or bikes to a station to the time they spend waiting to the trip itself. The Red Line Update will create a safer, more connected corridor for everyone who uses State Street.”
The Red Line became Upstate New York’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line when it began service in 2011. The service introduced frequent buses, larger stations, and transit signal priority to help buses move more efficiently through traffic. Since then, CDTA has expanded its BusPlus network with the Blue and Purple lines and incorporated additional BRT features, including dedicated bus lanes and enhanced station amenities.
Construction on Phase I is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. For more information about the Red Line Update and BusPlus Red Line service, visit www.cdta.org/brt.