Calling Out New York State Over Condition of the I-90

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Photo credit Brendan Keany
IRVING (WBEN - Brendan Keany) - Congressman Tom Reed was joined by Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello and State Assemblyman Joe Giglio on Thursday afternoon to "send a message" to New York State regarding the condition of the stretch of the I-90 that goes through the Seneca Nation.

Congressman @TomReedCongress is holding a press conference to “send a message” to Governor Cuomo’s office that the stretch of the I-90 that goes through the Seneca Nation is in defective condition, and that it will cause injury.“Enough of petty politics.” @NewsRadio930 pic.twitter.com/BfDHmiY121

— Brendan Keany (@BrendanKeany) August 1, 2019

"We are here to send a message to the Governor's Office and to the Department of Transportation that this road is in deplorable condition," said Reed. "I believe that this road is symbolic of a petty political fight between the Seneca Nation and the New York State Governor's Office in regard to side issues that have nothing to do with the safety of the traveling public."

There have been several disputes between New York and the Seneca Nation, most notably and argument over casino revenue payments.

In the simplest of terms, the three officials want the road to be fixed.

"What I am asking and standing on behalf of the Nation here today, as well as the state and the constituents of the 23rd Congressional District is that this road needs to be fixed," said Reed.

Borrello echoed the sentiments of Reed, saying it's absurd that the road can be such bad shape, especially since it's tolled.

"Let's not forget that this is the Thruway; people pay for the right to drive on this road, not just here locally, but from across the United States, it costs money to travel on this road, and the conditions that are in place now are completely unacceptable," said Borrello. "This is another example of where the governor has put politics above people, and in this case, possibly threatening their lives and certainly threatening their property with damage because of a fight that he refuses to resolve with the Seneca Nation."