Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul says motorists on the New York State Thruway "deserve better."Hochul was referring to a stretch of I-90, south of Buffalo, where the Thruway Authority has posted "Rough Road" warning signs and drivers are advised to slow down to 45 mph.
The problem area is located roughly between Farnham and Silver Creek on the Seneca Nation's Cattaraugus Territory. That is sovereign land and Hochul says the state is working on gaining access.
"Our goal is to get this started and get it finished. We need to have the access. We have to continue working this out with the Senecas and that is our priority," Hochul said.
"I understand the frustration and I assure you, it is being addressed at the highest levels."
On Thursday, three Southern Tier Republican politicians claimed Gov. Andrew Cuomo's dealings with the Seneca Nation have been political in nature. Tribal leaders have claimed the state owes the Senecas hundreds of millions of dollars for allowing the Thruway to cross through their land.
"In the past we have had the ability to go on-site and make the repairs that are neccessary. There has been a logjam and it needs to be worked out. I hope we can get it resolved very soon," Hochul said.
Hochul said the Thruway issue is "independent" of the dispute over the Senecas cutting off casino revenue sharing payments to the state.
