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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2006 Archives > March 2006 > Mayor Brown To State Leaders: Remove Thruway Tolls

Mayor Brown To State Leaders: Remove Thruway Tolls


Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Culter
Director of Communications
716-851-4841

Mayor States Removal of Tolls Will Help With Revitalization Efforts

BUFFALO—Mayor Byron Brown this week called on the chairs of the State Senate and Assembly Transportation Committees to consider his request to remove the Breckenridge and Ogden toll barriers on the Niagara Section of the New York State Thruway (I-190).  Mayor Brown stated that the tolls are a detriment to his economic development plans and vision for Buffalo's future.

 

In a letter sent to the committee chairs, Mayor Brown wrote, "As a New York State Senator, I repeatedly sponsored legislation to remove the tolls from the

I-190.  As Mayor of Buffalo, I continue to support the removal of these toll barriers.  As I continue to implement programs and initiatives that will help revive our economy, the tolls act as a deterrent to people considering coming into Buffalo, where they can enjoy everything we have to offer."

 

Mayor Brown agrees with other regional elected officials and business owners that the tolls dissuade developers and other investors from conducting business in downtown Buffalo because the tolls are viewed as "barriers" or as a "commuter tax." 

 

"If we want to market Buffalo as a great place to locate a business, we have to

level the playing field, and removing the Breckenridge and Ogden toll barriers will help achieve that goal," said Mayor Brown.

 

The Mayor sent copies of his letter to the Governor's office, the Western New York Legislative Delegation, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, the Western New York Congressional Delegation, both Senators Schumer and Clinton, and the Thruway Authority.  The Mayor's request has the full support of Buffalo Place, Inc.