Asphalt Art Project Set To Begin

Matt Villnave • September 30, 2025

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, in partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, is about to undertake an asphalt art project at the intersection of Main Street, Portage Road, and Pierce Avenue. The design will include 2 wide crosswalks, 5 curb extension murals, and an intersection island mural. Not only will this add beauty through art, it will improve pedestrian and driver safety at this busy intersection. This project is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, an organization that supports arts-driven tactical urbanism projects that improve street safety, revitalize public space, engage local communities, and drive economic development.

Installation Schedule & Details

The intersection will be closed to vehicular traffic from Monday, October 6 at 8 a.m. until Friday, October 10 at approximately 4 p.m. Traffic, including school buses and NFTA passenger buses, will be rerouted to nearby streets. All detours will be clearly marked and communicated through City channels. During installation, the intersection will remain open to pedestrian traffic, and businesses are encouraged to remain open during this week. Parking south on Main Street and Portage Road will not be interrupted. Business patrons who park in this location will need to make a five-point turn to exit the area.

Traffic Data and Evaluation

Over the course of three months, NFNHA staff members observed the intersection at.

Main Street and Portage Road for common traffic behaviors and statistics. These included:

  • Number of cars
  • Car speeds
  • Bicyclists
  • Pedestrians
  • Jaywalkers
  • Cars parked illegally, deliveries, and maintenance workers


Observations were held during two time periods: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM (green on graphs) and 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (yellow on graphs).

Direct Feedback from Constituents

How Art Can Change the Intersection: Asphalt Art Safety Study

In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies released the Asphalt Art Safety Study, which examined the impact of art in the streetscape by comparing historical crash rates and real-time behavior of motorists and pedestrians at 22 asphalt art sites before and after the projects were installed.


The Main Street, Portage Road, and Pierce Avenue intersection is heavily trafficked and currently unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Collaboration with the City

The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area and the City of Niagara Falls are working together to strengthen city infrastructure that supports the safety of everyone in our communities. This project will also serve as a model for future art initiatives that have the power to reshape the way we experience our cities. All relevant city departments have reviewed and approved this plan.

FAQ

  • How is this funded?

    The project is funded through a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

  • Is this tax-payer funded?

    It is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The City of Niagara Falls will be helping us with temporary traffic control to re-route traffic for a few days. 

  • Painting a road? With our winters? Say what?!

    Asphalt art projects exist all over the globe, including wintery places. And yes, it can be done! The combination of using the right materials and traffic bollards will help keep the art looking great, even in snow. Any public art project will need touch ups from time to time, and the NFNHA is here to handle that as needed. 

  • Who will maintain this going forward?

    The NFNHA is responsible for the maintenance of the art installation going forward, including paint touch ups and bollard replacements. We have a maintenance plan. That maintenance will NOT be the responsibility of the City of Niagara Falls, and we are here to be a good partner as we are with our other mural projects. 

  • Where did the traffic plan come from?

    We worked Street Plans to evaluate the intersection and come up with the best plan. Street Plans is an award-winning transportation planning, urban design, and placemaking practice.

  • What is Bloomberg Philanthropies?

    You can learn more about what they do here.



    https://asphaltart.bloomberg.org/

  • Who will be painting it?

    The NFNHA public art team, under the guidance of artist Tyshaun Tyson, will be painting the asphalt art with help from community partners like Abate Elementary School, Complete Senior Care, and Niagara University.

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