Canal Side residents review the latest possibilities for waterfront development. YNN’s Nicki Mayo has details on bridge suggestions for the Outer Harbor.

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She lives along Canal Side and has watched the Buffalo waterfront change over the years.

"I think it’s exciting and once it’s developed, once people know that there is access I believe the development will follow," Martin said.

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is batting around ideas for a bridge for Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. The University at Buffalo produced a computer generated "fly over" to demonstrate how a two types of bridges (vertical lift bridge and a drawbridge) at the base of Erie or Main Street would impact the waterfront.

The proposed bridge would connect the waterfront with the Outer Harbor near Route 5, but developers say don’t expect another Skyway. The new bridge will be recreational with a pedestrian walkway and two lane traffic.

"It’s not Elm or Oak, where there’s one-way traffic being pushed out the city. It’s a local road," said Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation’s Steven P. Ranalli.

ECHDC officials expect 10,000 cars a day to use the new bridge, compared to the 40,000 they say pass over the Skyway.

"We’re not looking to push cars through the area, but we want to provide a connection so when people want to get across they can," said Ranalli.

Every day 750 to 1,000 people walk along the inner harbor between the Erie Basin Marina and the Central Warf. Details are still being ironed out for the construction that could begin 2011. The bridge project is expected to cost 100-million dollars.

Martin says Canal Side life is priceless.

"I can’t imagine not living there," said Martin