WNED: Transfer of I-190 Could End Grand Island Tolls (2008-02-22)

BUFFALO (2008-02-22) Legislation has been introduced in the State Senate by Republican George Maziarz and in the Assembly by Democrat Sam Hoyt that, if approved, would transfer the I-190 from the Thruway Authority to the state Department of Transportation.

Maziarz says the move will let the DOT collect more federal-aid, which would pay for maintaining the Grand Island bridges and the 21-miles of the Niagara section of the Thruway.

“Our plan…calls for the Grand Island Bridges and the Niagara Section of the Thruway to be removed from the New York State Thruway Authority’s domain and placed under the control of the Department of Transportation,” Maziarz said.

Thruway Authority Board Member Jeffery Williams of Lewiston calls it a great idea.

“If we can divest assets and shrink the size of the authority and get back to our core goal and mission…running the Mainline Thruway,” Williams said.

Williams believes other members of the Thruway Authority will back the plan.

Before the Grand Island Tolls can come down though, the legislation would have to pass both houses of the state legislature.

It would also have to be approved by Governor Spitzer.

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