In Letter to Thruway Authority, Hochul Calls For Explanation in Delay of Williamsville Toll Relocation Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Kathy Hochul (NY-26) sent a letter to Thomas J. Madison, Jr., Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), requesting an explanation of the delay of the Williamsville Interstate 90 toll barrier relocation project. Approximately $5.2 million in Federal taxpayer funds have been expended on this project so far, yielding no results.

“This project was first approved in the late 1990s and there has been no progress since 2006.  The public deserves an explanation as to how their hard-earned tax dollars have been used. As this process moves forward, I pledge to work with all agencies involved to provide transparency for taxpayers and to reach an outcome in the best interest of the community,” Hochul wrote.

In August, Rep. Hochul wrote to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) asking officials to expedite the conclusion of an environmental impact statement and release the results so NYSTA officials can move forward. In response, FHWA Administrator Victor M. Mendez said that his agency is not the source of the delay and asserted that once NYSTA has decided how to proceed, FHWA officials will work to expedite any further environmental review.

In 2006, area residents believed this project would progress, and local leaders have been planning this move as far back as the late 1990s, but have seen no action in recent years.

Hochul, who was dubbed the ““Stop The Tolls Pioneer” by the Buffalo News, has been advocating for Western New York’s motorists throughout her career in public service. As a member of the Hamburg Town Board, in 1998 she began a long fight to remove toll booths from the New York State Thruway, which continued into her tenure as Erie County Clerk.