09/08/09: Erie County Legislators Call for More Road and Bridge Stimulus Funds

Original YNN Buffalo Air Date: 09/08/09
Erie County legislators are urging the New York State assembly to send more money for area roads and bridges.“What we’ve discovered is most of the money is going to the other end of the state. We need it here!” said County Legislative Chair Lynn M. Marinelli.
Representatives from both side of the aisle announced plans to introduce a resolution calling for equal allocation of stimulus funds for roads and bridges. They say the recent flooding in Gowanda and Springville demonstrates how badly the egions needs additional funds to upgrade old roadways throughout region five. “The FEMA support that we’re getting from our federal government to rebuild Gowanda. Zoar Valley Road. Other roads that have completely washed out. This is a significant public safety issue,” said District 13’s John J. Mills.
Region five includes Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties.Erie County expects $75 million dollars in stimulus funds this year. Today area lawmakers say the county will be short-changed $30 million over the next two years, based on historical numbers. But, they say they aren’t giving up after all this is not the first time they’ve gone to the table in Albany to ask for funds to improve roads and bridges.
“This is $30 million dollars that is being shortchanged in Erie County. We need to get this money in our community so we can make the important improvements to our roads and out bridges,” added District 15 legislator Edward A. Rath III.The resolution goes before the Erie County Legislature Thursday.