By Staff
Buffalo, NY – The State Thruway Authority will meet next Monday to vote on a proposal to end the collections of tolls on the Niagara section of the Thruway.
State Senator Dale Volker confirmed late Monday the State Legislature will shift $14 million in state funds to the Thruway Authority to make up for the lost toll revenue.
Earlier in the day, Congressman Brian Higgins Higgins called on the authority to use $1 million in funds that were going to be used to improve the Breckenridge barrier to tear them down.
Higgins said the removal of the tolls should be permanent, not temporary.
"Democrats and Republicans, federal, state and local officials and the private sector have clearly announced their support for removal of the toll booths," Higgins said. "We have the opportunity to do that, not on a temporary basis, but on a permanent basis."
If the Thruway authority approves the lifting of tolls, and the transfer of its control of Interstate 84 downstate to the state Department of Transportation to offset the toll revenues, collections could stop by Monday afternoon.
State Senator Volker promises to work with the Thruway Authority to expedite the physical removal of the toll barriers, perhaps next spring.