Explore other ways to ease congestion at Peace Bridge
In the Feb. 1 edition, “To build or not to build” was revisited in light of declining traffic on the Peace Bridge. Here are some suggestions:
Another bridge won’t decrease congestion; only opening more inspection booths will do that. Raise tolls 25 or 50 cents and use the funds to keep all booths open from 6 a. m. to 1 a. m. from May 1 to Sept. 30, and all weekends and holidays.
Get the trucks off of the bridges. Make increased use of the railroad bridge. Most trucks aren’t stopping or starting in Western New York, they are just passing through.
Charge trucks $500 between 6 a. m. and midnight; $200 between midnight and 1 a. m. and 5 a. m. and 6 a. m.; and $1 between 1 a. m. and 5 a. m. Guess when they will use the bridge?
Finally, process the trucks in Canada. Having them wait on the bridge is ridiculous. It is totally inconsistent with increased security.
These suggestions can be implemented almost immediately, certainly before the summer season. Most of the congestion will be eliminated. We need to remember that we will never eliminate all congestion.
If these suggestions don’t improve traffic flow, then maybe another bridge is needed. But it is important to keep in mind the massive congestion that will occur during the years that it will take to complete.
James M. Mulcahy
Grand Island
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments