Mayor Anthony Masiello’s letter
CITY OF BUFFALO
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
ANTHONY M. MASIELLO MAYOR
November 8, 2002
Mr. Brian Rowback
Regional Director
New York Department of Transportation
125 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
RE: SKYWAY BRIDGE
Dear Mr. Rowback:
I urge you to consider alternatives to the Skyway Bridge before new money is invested into repairing the existing structure, which I believe may have outlived its usefulness to the Buffalo/Niagara region.
The existing Skyway is nearly 50 years old and has had an expensive and extensive rehabilitation history costing tens of millions of dol1ars. Moreover, it is my understanding that the Skyway will require additional repairs moving forward that could reach the $100 million range.
Assemblyman Brian Higgins who earlier requested a review of alternatives to the Skyway cited a 1994 City of Buffalo engineering study that offered six alternatives to the Skyway. This plan should receive a formal review before New York State invests any new money into repairing the existing structure.
Removal of the Skyway with a tunneling option would offer many potential benefits to the City of Buffalo including more efficient and safer transportation, and opening up hundreds of acres for new waterftont development opportunities. These opportunities could help Buffalo enhance its regional image and expand the city’s property with new investments in housing and commercial uses.
My administration’s Engineering Division is prepared to assist you in any way in the reviewing the Skyway alternatives outlined in the aforementioned 1994 city report.
Thank you for your consideration in this important matter. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact me directly at 851-XXXX.
Sincerely,
Anthony M. Masiello
Mayor
AMM/gk