Island committee formed to address upcoming
South Bridge construction

by Terry Duffy
Grand Island Dispatch, February 9, 2007

Don’t look now, but there’s going to be more construction coming to the Grand Island bridges.

Last week, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-144th District, along with Erie County Legislator Michelle Iannello and Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon hosted the first meeting of the Grand Island Bridge Reconstruction Committee at Town Hall.

Discussed was a major upcoming construction project, currently in the design phase, to redeck the northbound South Grand Island Bridge. Work on the multi-million-dollar project is scheduled to begin in 2008.

The group, which included representatives of the state Thruway Authority, Department of Transportation, the Grand Island Town Board, the Grand Island Traffic Safety Advisory Board, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Island Economic Development Advisory Board and members of the community, discussed the project and its expected significant impact on Island residents. The committee was formed by Hoyt and McMahon to work with the Thruway Authority on creating solutions to alleviate what otherwise could be a traffic nightmare for motorists and residents alike.

“As construction on the bridges is expected to create significant inconveniences to Grand Island residents, it is imperative that we minimize further distress as much as possible,” said Hoyt. I think we got off to a productive start at Friday’s meeting and were able to present the goals and expectations of the committee as well as start the dialogue regarding balancing the needs of the community and construction demands.”

McMahon, who noted a similar group was formed the last time the Thruway Authority did major work on the bridge decks, said its input was vital then and is even more so now. “It made a number of suggestions to the Thruway which were implemented, resulting in a significant reduction in inconvenience to Island residents and businesses. The volume of traffic today is considerably heavier than in the 1980s,” McMahon said, adding, “this makes the committee all the more imperative.”

One major topic discussed was the presence of the toll booths at the South Bridge, the current build-up in traffic congestion and the problems anticipated by the bridge construction. Once construction commences, the committee will be closely monitoring the situation caused by the tolls and evaluating the impact of their removal or relocation in order to alleviate traffic headaches.

Iannello stated that one of the Committee’s main goals will be to work closely with the Thruway Authority on finding ways to alleviate the traffic congestion and also explore alternatives to the current toll collection process.

“Providing relief to the traffic congestion caused by the tolls for the taxpayers of Grand Island is my highest priority,” said Iannello. “I am confident that through this process and with the cooperation of the Thruway Authority, we will be able to accomplish that goal.”

However the issue of tolls itself continues to be a major aggravation to both Island residents and motorists alike. Since 1999, Hoyt has pushed for their elimination in Albany without success. And efforts continue, with Islander Rus Thompson in the midst of a campaign for their removal with his nogitolls.com on-line petition drive. But whether Albany will ever listen to the many calls for their elimination remains to be seen.