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Higgins welcomes release of environmental assessment for Robert Moses Parkway North project

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Tue, Jul 26th 2016 06:20 pm

Calls it a 'major milestone' in removal of elevated highway

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, called the release of the Robert Moses North design report/environmental assessment a "major milestone" in removal of the elevated highway.

In March, Higgins and Niagara Falls Mayor Dyster called for the Federal Highway Administration to move swiftly on approval of the Robert Moses Parkway removal report. The assessment is now complete and available for public review and comment. A public hearing will also take place at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls (101 Old Falls St.) from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25.

"Completion of the formal environmental review brings us one step closer to reconnecting the City of Niagara Falls with its waterfront," Higgins said.

As explained in the executive summary, "The Project involves the removal of the existing RMP between Main Street and Findlay Drive, a distance of almost 2.0 miles, and the reconstruction of Third Street and Whirlpool Street which, in combination, parallel the RMP along this segment. ...

"These enhancements would add a total of 20.1 acres to the contiguous parkland/green space that currently exists west of the RMP. As a result, the current total of 116.7 acres of contiguous parkland/green space within the Project Study Area would increase to 136.8 acres, comprising a wide, fully-accessible green ribbon connecting Niagara Falls State Park and Whirlpool State Park."

In 2013, Higgins set out to help the city fight to reclaim its waterfront as the congressman outlined in a report titled: "The Niagara Falls Waterfront: NYPA's Responsibility for the Robert Moses Parkway." At Higgins' urging, the New York Power Authority committed to fund the design costs and 70 percent of the construction costs for the RMP North removal project (formally known as the Niagara Gorge Corridor Project).

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