FHA asked to intervene on Niagara tolls

The Federal Highway Administration has been asked to step into the fray over tolls along the I-190 Niagara Section of the state Thruway.

Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, has written to the FHA seeking assistance in a dispute between local leaders and the Thruway Authority.

A lawsuit has been filed by businessman Carl Paladino to have toll barriers coming into and out of the City of Buffalo removed. Revenue collected at those tolls amount to $11 million annually, more than double the operational costs.

Higgins cited previous agreements between the FHA and New York state over toll barriers.

"This is a matter of simple fairness -- Buffalo commuters have supported New York's roadways for far too long, and it's high time that the Federal Highway Administration takes a second look at these agreements," the congressman wrote.

Critics complain that other upstate cities such as Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany have no such tolls.
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/s...l?surround=lfn

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Originally Posted by steven

A lawsuit has been filed by businessman Carl Paladino to have toll barriers coming into and out of the City of Buffalo removed.
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Does this lawsuit also seek the removal of the Grand Island toll barriers?

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Originally Posted by RaginTaxpayer

Does this lawsuit also seek the removal of the Grand Island toll barriers?

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well if it doesn't, it should. And while they are at it, they should get a court order to repaint those bridges a nice color instead of that putrid blue.......:mad:

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Originally Posted by RaginTaxpayer

Does this lawsuit also seek the removal of the Grand Island toll barriers?

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I think Paladino's lawsuit only specifies the 2 city of Buffalo tolls on the 190.

Higgins may be targeting more than that, but besides the buffalo city tolls, the only other one I hear mentioned is pushing out the Williamsville tollbooth farther down the 90 outside the buffalo metro.

I've never heard anyone talk specifically about removing the Grand Island tolls. So that may not be on the table.