Hochul addresses criticisms of thruway in Seneca Nation

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Photo credit WBEN Photo/Brendan Keany

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said New York State wants to fix the stretch of I-90 that runs through Seneca Nation and that the two sides need to work out their differences to get it done.

"I understand the frustration," Hochul said. "I can assure you it's been addressed at the highest levels."

The lieutenant governor didn't specify what that log jam was but did say it needs to be worked out. She did note that the casino dispute, which she said is independent from fixing the roads, should have been solved already.

"What's fair is fair," Hochul said. "They went through the process that they agreed to, which is to have a three-person arbitration panel to weigh all the evidence and look at both sides and come up with a resolution. The resolution and decision was that the Seneca Nation owes the State of New York over $200 million and upwards of $250 million."

"Follow what you agreed to do," she said. "Follow the directive of the arbitration board and let's get this done."

Seneca Nation provided the following statement to WBEN:

“The Seneca Nation has regularly approved resolutions that provide for routine maintenance of roadways that cross our territories, but the repair work needed on these roads goes far beyond routine maintenance. Thousands of travelers, most of whom are non-Seneca, travel these roads every day. The longer the needed repairs are not completed, the more dangerous the situation becomes for all travelers.”