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DOT adding entrance gates to area roadways

WBFO News file photo

The days of wasting police resources blocking roadway entrance ramps during snowstorms is coming to an end in Erie County. The state is finally turning to a mechanical method.

Over the next several weeks the Department of Transportation will be installing gates on more than two-dozen local highway entrance ramps. The DOT's Susan Surdej says the first phase began last year with the installation of nine gates, an effort which worked very effectively.

"This year we are installing 28 additional gates. Those will be along Route Five, I-290, Route 219 and Route 400," Surdej said.
   
Surdej says being able to simply lower a gate will free up emergency personnel and equipment. The units cost between $,000 and $10,000, depending on the location.

"We consider it a very wise investment. We hope that we don't have to use them, but in time of incident or emergency they are very valuable to us," Surdej said.  

The gates are expected to be operational by November.