BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The New York state Department of Transportation has awarded the first contract for a planned $1 billion infrastructure project on the Kensington Expressway in Buffalo.

The office of the state comptroller approved the $44.5 million contract to Union Concrete and Construction Corp. from West Seneca to replace the Best Street bridge over the expressway. Earlier this week, a state Supreme Court justice issued a temporary restraining order barring any construction on the Kensington project for at least two weeks.

The order, however, did not prohibit the state from awarding contractors nor did it stop contractors from doing non-construction work like site surveys. The full project includes plans to build a three-quarter mile tunnel over part of the expressway with greenspace above.

“The Kensington Expressway carved a deep wound in the fabric of East Buffalo and the time has come to begin stitching it back together,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “With the award of this contract, we are continuing beyond the decades of debate and indecision over what to do about this relic of the mid-20th century and into a new period of action that will yield a reconnected and reenergized community.”

In Buffalo on Friday, Hochul said she expects lawsuits whenever the state undertakes a project of this scope. However, she noted further delays could jeopardize $300 million in federal money currently dedicated to the project.

"There are federal dollars involved with this. This is why it's important for this to move forward. I hope we can overcome the legal challenges. I expect we will but I also would say that we are not able to sit on this money for a long time," she said.

A hearing is scheduled on the state's motion to dismiss the case as well as petitioners' motions for a preliminary injunction Oct. 25.