Press Releases: 10/30/09 Legislators Iannello, Reynolds Call for a County Tax Abatement Law for Home Improvements 10/08/09 Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello News Release 09/30/09 Iannello Calls on County Executive to Include Tax Cut in Budget 08/26/09 IANNELLO APPOINTED CO-CHAIR OF THE NIAGARA ERIE REGIONAL COALITION BY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI 08/07/09 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO DEFENDS PREVAILING WAGE VOTE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 February 6, 2007 HOYT/MCMAHON/IANNELLO HOST FIRST MEETING FOR GRAND ISLAND BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE Committee to address rehabilitation of the northbound South Grand Island Bridge (Buffalo) – Assemblyman Sam Hoyt (D – Buffalo, Grand Island), Town Supervisor Peter McMahon and County Legislator Michelle Iannello hosted the first meeting of the Grand Island Bridge Reconstruction Committee on Friday, February 2, at the Town Hall. Joining Hoyt, McMahon and Iannello were representatives from New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), representatives from the Grand Island Town Board, Traffic Safety Advisory Board, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Advisory Board, and members from the community. The committee was formed by Assemblyman Hoyt and Supervisor McMahon to address Grand Island residents' concerns about the upcoming construction project to re-deck the northbound South Grand Island Bridge in 2008. The committee will work with the Thruway Authority for the duration of the project to create solutions to alleviate increased traffic tensions that may occur throughout the reconstruction process. Hoyt said, "As construction on the bridges is expected to create significant inconveniences to Grand Island residents, it is imperative that we minimize further distress as much as possible. I think we got off to a productive start at Friday's meeting and were able to present the goals and expectations of the committee as well as start the dialogue regarding balancing the needs of the community and construction demands." McMahon added, "A similar committee was formed the last time that the NYS Thruway Authority made major repairs to the Grand Island Bridge decks. The original committee was convened by Sam Hoyt's father. It made a number of suggestions to the Thruway which were implemented, resulting in a significant reduction in inconvenience to Island residents and businesses. The volume of traffic today is considerably heavier than in the 1980s. This makes the committee all the more imperative." Among the topics discussed on Friday were the Grand Island tolls. During the reconstruction process, one of the issues that the committee will be looking very closely at is the present traffic congestion caused by the tolls and evaluating the impact of their removal or relocation in order to alleviate traffic tension and to eliminate the financial burden on residents of Grand Island. Since 1999 Hoyt has introduced legislation every session which would eliminate the Grand Island tolls. At the suggestion of Erie County Legislator Michelle Iannello, one of the main goals of this committee will be to work closely with the Thruway Authority to help relieve the traffic congestion caused by the tolls and search for alternatives to the current toll collection process. Iannello said, "Providing relief to the traffic congestion caused by the tolls for the taxpayers of Grand Island is my highest priority. I am confident that through this process and with the cooperation of the Thruway Authority we will be able to accomplish that goal." Hoyt concluded, "The work of this committee will be integral to the success of the reconstruction project on the South Grand Island Bridge. I am appreciative that both Grand Island representatives and the Thruway Authority have agreed to come together early in the design phase of the project. " Sam Hoyt represents the 144th Assembly District Back to District 10 Homepage