Hochul discusses bridge plaza expansion

U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul, D-26th District, paid a visit on Wednesday to Lewiston where she met with the Canadian consul general and officials of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission to discuss expansion of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge plaza on the U.S. side.

"Today, after meeting with Marta Moszczenska, consul general of the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo, and representatives of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, it has become more evident than ever that we must expand the Lewiston plaza at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge from 10 lanes to 17 lanes," Hochul said. "This upgrade would result in significantly shorter wait times for commercial vehicles traveling between the U.S. and Canada, therefore increasing revenue and commerce coming into the United States.

"The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission has already put up $50 million of its own money for the project. I look forward to working with the Western New York delegation, (whom I hope) will now join me in urging the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to expedite the approval of this expansion so that our economy can continue to grow and thrive." (photo by Lynn Zanardi)