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News - New Plan to Remove 190 Tolls on Grand Island

Imagine driving onto Grand Island without having to pay a toll. It’s been talked about for years here in western New York, but now there’s an effort that could make it a reality.

“It would effectively remove the tolls on Grand Island,” said New York State Senator George Maziarz. “It would get the thruway out of what really is the local highway system.”

Maziarz wants to transfer the control of the I-190 in western New York from the New York State Thruway Authority to the New York State Department of Transportation.

“It would take the thruway completely out of the picture, turn it over to the New York Department of Transportation which opens the door for federal funding,” said Russ Thompson, an advocate for removing the Grand Island tolls.

And that federal funding would take the place of the tolls that are collected to help maintain the 190. Maziarz is sponsoring legislation in the senate and Sam Hoyt will sponsor it in the assembly to make the transfer possible, so the state can take over and the tolls can come down.

“Do you think it can really happen”, 2 On Your Side’s Josh Boose asked Maziarz. “Do you think it will pass the senate?”

“I think it can pass the senate and I have all the confidence in Assemblyman Hoyt that he can get it through the assembly,” Maziarz replied.

“Will it help the Thruway Authority if this were to happen,” Boose asked Thruway Authority member
Jeff Williams.

“Oh, I believe divesting an asset right now will help,” Williams replied. “I believe it’s very important. I believe it’s the right thing to do.”

At least this member of the thruway authority wouldn’t mind. But Jeff Williams says, right now it’s all up to the lawmakers in Albany.

“So, we’re looking by the end of June when we should know something,” Boose asked Maziarz.

“I would say so yes,” Maziarz said.

June is when the state senate’s legislative session ends. Maziarz says he will know by then if this transfer will actually happen. He says he’s going to introduce the legislation on Monday.

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