Adds the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad scenic byway into the state scenic byways system

2025 Regular Session Introduced by April Baskin and 7 co-sponsors

Designates a ceremonial Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway across central and western NY with signage, not changing road names or commerce.

RETURNED TO SENATE

Summary of Bill S.9057 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and Intent

Creates a ceremonial designation dedicating a specific portion of New York’s state and county highway system to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.

The designation is intended as a ceremonial acknowledgment, with signing that identifies the Byway without changing official highway names or affecting commerce.

Aims to honor Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad by highlighting a historic route across multiple communities.

Key Provisions

New Highway Section Dedicated (Section 342-fff)

Establishes a dedicated Byway along a defined chain of state and county roads spanning central and western New York, including segments through:
- Auburn (Cayuga County) via State Route 5 to SR 38, then SR 38 to Auburn
- Seneca Falls (Seneca County) through SR 20 west to Geneva (Ontario County), following SR 20, SR 14, SR 31, SR 78, and SR 263
- Niagara Falls/Niagara County area along SR 384, SR 265, and related routes
- Erie County areas including US Route 62, SR 5, Michigan Avenue, Broadway, Lafayette Square, Court Street, Niagara Square, and Whirlpool Street to Depot Avenue West
The Byway’s routing ends at Depot Avenue West in Niagara Falls.

Signage and Significance (Section 342-fff, § 2)

The NY Department of Transportation ( commissioner of transportation) must provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing.
Signage must clearly state “Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway.”
The designation is ceremonial in nature; official highway names remain unchanged to avoid confusion or disruption to commerce.

Effective Date (Section 342-fff, § 3)

The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who/What Is Affected

Geographic Scope: A defined corridor across multiple counties from Auburn (Cayuga County) through central and western New York to Niagara Falls (Erie/Niagara Counties). The Byway includes portions of State Routes 5, 38, 20, 14, 31, 78, 263, US Route 62, Michigan Avenue, Broadway, Lafayette Square, Court Street, Niagara Square, and related streets.

Administrators: responsibilities fall to the New York State Department of Transportation (and relevant county or local authorities for maintenance of the Byway signage).

Public Communication: Public signage will be placed to denote the ceremonial Byway while preserving existing official road designations.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Introduction and Committee: Referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation (January 28, 2026).

Advancement: Advanced through the legislative process (as of action history) with steps including 1st and 2nd committee reports and third reading in 2026.

Implementation Timing: Immediate effective date upon enactment; signage installation and ceremonial designation to be carried out by the Commissioner of Transportation.

Additional Notes

Several sponsors and co-sponsors (including Senator Baskin and others) support the bill.

The design is explicitly “ceremonial” to ensure no changes to official road names or adverse economic impact.

This bill provides a formal, commemorative Byway designation intended to recognize Harriet Tubman’s legacy and the Underground Railroad within New York’s transportation landscape, accompanied by targeted signage while preserving existing highway designations and commerce.