For Immediate Release: October 13, 2006, 11:45 a.m.

UPDATE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY REOPENS WESTBOUND BETWEEN INT 57 (HAMBURG) AND INT 59 (DUNKIRK)
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THRUWAY REMAINS CLOSED WESTBOUND BETWEEN INT 46 (ROCHESTER, CORNING) & INT 57 (DUNKIRK); REMAINS CLOSED EASTBOUND BETWEEN INT 59 (DUNKIRK) & INT 46 (ROCHESTER, CORNING)
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Authority Sending Food & Water to Motorists, State Police Assessing from Air & Ground

At 11:45 a.m. today, the New York State Thruway Authority announced that the Thruway (I-90) has reopened westbound between Interchange 57 (Hamburg) and Interchange 59 (Dunkirk).

However, the Thruway remains closed westbound between Interchange 46 (Rochester, Corning) and Interchange 57 (Dunkirk). In addition, the Thruway remains closed eastbound between Interchange 59 (Dunkirk) and Interchange 46 (Rochester, Corning).

At approximately 6:10 a.m. this morning, the New York State Thruway Authority announced that a 105-mile section of the Thruway mainline (I-90) from Interchange 46 (Rochester, Corning) and 59 (Dunkirk) had been closed due to heavy lake effect snow conditions.

The remaining sections of the Thruway will be reopened as soon as Thruway Maintenance crews can clear the snow from the roadway, making it passable and safe for motorists.

In addition to the 50 pieces of snow removal equipment that Buffalo Division has deployed, nine pieces of equipment and equipment operators from the Authority’s Syracuse Division have been sent to assist in the snow removal efforts.

State Police Troop T and Authority Maintenance forces have been on the road throughout the storm and have checked on all disabled vehicles at this point. Because of the lack of power, a number of the traditional lines of communication (phones, traffic monitoring cameras) that the Authority would typically use to manage and assess situations of this nature are unavailable.

Snowmobiles are delivering food and water to stranded motorists; Thruway Authority fuel trucks are out refilling the wreckers that are being used to get stranded vehicles off the system. In addition, State Police are using a helicopter to assess the situation from the air; snowmobiles are assessing from the ground.

The Authority would like to assure motorists that crews are working as quickly as possible to make the road passable and safe. Approximately two feet of snow has fallen in certain areas, and was falling at a rate of two to four inches an hour at some points during the early morning.

Throughout the duration of the early fall storm, the Authority has been working with the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO). The Authority has also activated its Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) and Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) to alert motorists statewide to the closure and weather-related delays. TRANSalerts have also been sent to those motorists who have signed up for the email notification service, the 1-800 THRUWAY information line has been updated accordingly, press releases have been issued and the Authority’s website has prominently displayed information on its homepage.

The City of Buffalo also is issuing a no unnecessary travel advisory in the City of Buffalo due to weather conditions, until further notice. There are states of emergency in the City of Buffalo, City of Tonawanda, Town of Cheektowaga, Town of Aurora, Village of Aurora, Elma, Lancaster, Akron, and Depew. There is no unessential travel allowed in those communities.

The Authority appreciates motorists’ patience and understanding during this storm and clean up activities.

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