Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A pair of prominent local state lawmakers say the blame on this week's commercial vehicle tie-up leading into Canada should be squarely placed with both the Canadian and U.S. federal governments, along with the authorities that manage the area's international bridge crossings.
State Sen. Sean Ryan, the Democratic candidate for Buffalo Mayor this fall, and State Assemblyman Jon Rivera are both joining a growing chorus of politicians, business leaders and everyday citizens who are raising red flags about the truck tie-ups that spilled over from the State Thruway and into neighborhoods and business districts in the City of Buffalo.
"It was unacceptable," Ryan said. "Nobody had any answers."
Both Ryan and Rivera says as they tried to get answers, their inquiries were deflected from both the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, and its Niagara County counterpart - the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission - to federal border crossing agencies in both the U.S. and Canada.
None provided answers to either politician.
"Frustrating, to be sure," Ryan said.
Ryan adds he will press both agencies for answers, but also press the fact that there needs to be more communication not only to truck drivers but to the general public.
"We can't have this again," he said.