BUFFALO, NY – New York State Assemblymember Rivera and Senator April Baskin announced that they have sent a formal letter to the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority demanding immediate corrective action to address longstanding traffic design failures at the Peace Bridge U.S. Plaza that continue to funnel unsuspecting drivers directly into U.S. Customs with no opportunity to turn around.

The lawmakers stressed that the issue has become especially urgent in light of the federal government’s unjust and increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have heightened the consequences of accidental border crossings.

Earlier this month, Shovgi Huseynov, an Ajerbaijan native lawfully working as a researcher at University of Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, was unable to properly turn around at Peace Bridge and was detained by border agents upon his return to Buffalo. He has no criminal record and a visa that allows him to work in the United States through 2029.

The problem stems from a 2016 redesign that constructed a new ramp carrying traffic from Porter Avenue directly into the Peace Bridge U.S. Plaza. The project allowed for the closure and removal of Baird Drive from the Frederick Law Olmsted–designed Front Park, restoring four acres of parkland and advancing long-standing preservation goals. While the redesign successfully renewed the park, it also created unintended consequences that have never been adequately resolved.

The new alignment placed U.S. and Canada exits in close proximity, forcing drivers to navigate a confusing roundabout  while yielding to traffic and attempting to determine whether they are headed toward LaSalle Park, the I-190, or the Peace Bridge. For decades, drivers who mistakenly approached the border were able to exit on the New York side and safely turn around. That option was eliminated by the 2016 renovation.

As a result, as many as 20 drivers per day reportedly cross the international border unintentionally. GPS navigation errors have compounded the issue, with major mapping services acknowledging that location inaccuracies can misdirect motorists in the area.

In their letter, Assemblymember Rivera and Senator Baskin call on the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority to take immediate steps to correct the problem. Their proposed solution includes implementing a shoulder or pull-over area before the U.S. Customs inspection point, allowing vehicles that mistakenly enter the plaza to safely exit through the Vermont/Busti gate. The lawmakers also emphasize the need for clear, humane procedures for border and plaza staff to assist drivers who have entered the border approach unintentionally.

The Peace Bridge is an essential international crossing and a critical driver of the Western New York economy. Buffalo’s recent population growth and economic revitalization have been fueled in large part by immigrants who have strengthened neighborhoods, launched businesses, and expanded the local workforce.

Infrastructure failures that expose people to unnecessary risk threaten both public trust and the region’s economic momentum.

Assemblymember Rivera and Senator Baskin are urging the Authority to act immediately to protect public safety, preserve Buffalo’s economic progress, and ensure that residents and visitors can navigate the area without fear of severe consequences stemming from a simple wrong turn.

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “As many as 20 drivers every day are unintentionally forced across an international border simply because of a confusing roadway design. In the current political climate, that mistake can carry serious, even life-altering consequences. No one should fear detention or interrogation because they trusted their GPS or made a wrong turn. This is a fixable problem, and it needs to be fixed now.”

Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “My priority is creating policies that welcome workers, families, and businesses who want to put down roots in Buffalo and help our region grow. We cannot allow a confusing infrastructure design to send the message that one wrong turn could put someone at risk of detention, interrogation, or deportation. Fixing this design is a matter of public safety and is essential to maintaining trust in Buffalo as a place where people feel safe to live, work, and invest.”