The Tolls are Gone

The tolls are gone on the I-190. I saw it myself, with my own eyes.

Not being a real reporter, I traveled up to the Black Rock tolls for an early lunch break to watch the fun. Loads of people were there. Senators Volker, Maziarz, Rath, and Coppola. Assemblypeople Hoyt, Peoples, Tokasz, Schimminger, and Cole. County Clerk Swarts. County Executive Giambra. Some, like Brian Higgins, were conspicuous by their absence, and it was not lost on a few that it was Black Rock that was getting the attention, rather than Ogden Street.

Bill Leslie from the Thruway Authority confirmed that the tolls were gone, but the booths are still there. People should obey the posted 25 MPH speed limit to avoid accidents.

The contract to remove the barriers themselves will be finalized by spring, and the things should come down by the summer 2007.

The removal of the tolls this year is coming from $14 million in Senate economic development funds that weren’t being used for anything. The removal of the tolls in out years is coming from a reversion from the Thruway to the State DOT of maintenance of the I-84 from Connecticut to Pennsylvania.

When asked whether reversion of the I-287 to the State DOT might result in the tolls being pushed back to Auburn or Albany, Mr. Leslie had no comment. Senator Volker laughed and thought that was a good idea, and that if someone could come up with $3.9 billion, we could get rid of the whole thing altogether.

Clerk Dave Swarts has been banging the toll-removal drum for many years, before it was cool. He was very satisfied with the outcome, but still wants the Lackawanna and Williamsville toll barriers to be moved back, outside the local commuting range.

The tolls themselves were officially switched off at 11:45 pm today, and I saw Giambra, Carl Paladino, Attorney Mike Powers, and Senator Volker walking briskly towards the barriers themselves. Marc Odien and I followed.

The four piled onto the back of an Ellicott Development pickup truck and toasted their victory on the back of the pickup truck; somewhat surreal to see these powerful guys in that situation. The truck then drove away at an excruciatingly slow rate of speed towards one of the toll barriers. They were going to be the first people to officially go through without paying a toll.

When asked if this meant the court action had been discontinued, the four laughed.

As the truck went through the barrier, we turned to see that the troopers had stopped traffic southbound on the I-190 to enable crews to unveil the “No Toll” sign.

Charlie Garber, who drives a truck for Weatherpanel was happy to be the first commercial vehicle through the toll-free I-190. He noted that their 8 trucks go through those tolls at least 10 times per day, which adds up. It will make his deliveries easier and quicker, and save the company money.

At least one person mentioned that this is all pre-election shenanigans. One must question the timing of this event – coming one week before the election – and it’s significant that it is these tolls that are removed, and not a pushback of Williamsville or Lackawanna. If you move Williamsville, you piss off Newstead. If you remove Breckenridge & Ogden, you piss off no one.

Donn Esmonde was interviewing Volker, and Esmonde was questioning why Volker was taking credit for this event when it was the lawsuit that really built the momentum to this point. Volker said the lawsuit was going to fail. Esmonde then called Mike Powers over and said, “Mike, the lawsuit was going to fail.” Cue laughter.

Powers said that he and the Senator had agreed to disagree on that. Volker continued to get questioned about the timing, and the Senator dismissively said that Esmonde hates all government. Esmonde countered that he likes good government. The Senator was displeased by this remark, and you’ll be able to see just how much later on when WNYMedia.net posts video of it.

Everyone was smiles on a day where everybody wins.