BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Buffalo residents against the state's Kensington Expressway Project continued to make their voices heard on Saturday at the East Side Parkways Coalition's second community meeting to address the environmental, economic and health impacts of the proposed project. The projec t sought the reconnection of neighborhoods on Buffalo's East Side and placing a park on a .75-mile section of Route 33. Construction was supposed to start by the end of last year, with completion by 2028. The state previously did an environmental assessment, but after the lawsuit, a judge ordered that it must do an environmental impact statement as well. Saturday's meeting follows the New York State Department of Transportation's (NYSDOT) announcement on Thursday night that it will not appeal the judge's decision and it will do another environmental review on the project. "This is what community engagement looks like, when you have people coming, looking at, asking questions and either agreeing or disagreeing," said Candace Moppins, the co-founder of the East Side Parkways Coalition. "Being educated is what's needed in this community for people to have their say." The local group said the NYSDOT's Kensington Expressway Project would violate their environmental rights and sued the DOT in December of 2023. "This is a City of Buffalo issue, it's not just an East Side issue," Moppins said. "It's a community issue, it's a labor issue, it's a city issue." Members of the coalition said they're not celebrating just yet. "I won't say it's a victory. I'll say it's a step in a more positive direction," said Wayne A. Blassingame, who lives near Humbolt Parkway and is part of the lawsuit. "The fight isn't over. We've got to continue to get our voice out there, continue to get our point across, continue to advocate for what we want, which is full-restoration Humbolt Parkway," said coalition member Taj Richardson. "I would love to be able to ride my bike all the way through the City of Buffalo without having to risk my life." The East Side Parkways Coalition plans on hosting another community meeting at a later date. Latest Local News Residents against Kensington Expressway Project react to DOT’s decision to not appeal ruling Medina man charged for possessing over 10,000 images, 6,000 videos of child pornography Hamburg man indicted for fatal hit-and-run, series of crashes in Tonawanda 5 Buffalo police officers placed on leave amid Granville investigation Man found guilty for fatal Del Denby shooting in 2024 Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. ...read more read less