The State Thruway Authority has decided to keep the Williamsville Toll Barrier in Williamsville. The decision hasn't been announced officially but Vice Chair Donna Luh has confirmed the move. She says it made no sense to move the barrier when new toll collection technology is changing everything.
That's not going over well with Amherst Town Councilman Richard "Jay" Anderson
"That toll barrier is a ten million economic drain a year on the residents of Western New York," Anderson contended.
"People in Amherst, people in Clarence are held up a total of seven to 17 hours a year. That's a full two work days they're held up just by the existence of that toll barrier."
Anderson also blasted the prospect of spending millions to install new technology at the present barrier.
According to Luh, the Thruway Authority believes a re-built barrier will speed traffic flow by moving vehicles through at 35 miles-an-hour rather than stopping completely to pay tolls or slowing to five miles-an-hour to use an EZ-Pass.
She says some work will start this year and take up to three years and $15 million to complete.
Opponents were seeking to have the barriers moved east of the current location in the town of Akron.
