OBSERVER Staff Report

New York state officials say crews are ready to get to work once a deal gets reached with the Seneca Nations of Indians to repair a three-mile stretch of dangerous road on the Thruway.

A spokesman from New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, in a call to the OBSERVER on Friday, confirmed there is construction equipment en route to the hazardous stretch of road from Syracuse to the area near Exit 58 in Silver Creek. “We’re further along than we have been,” the spokesman said. “We’re ready to go as soon as the Seneca Nation gives us permission.”

On Friday afternoon, however, U.S. Rep. Tom Reed has announced the Seneca Nation has agreed to have the work done. “The Senecas are willing to allow the state on the reservation to fix I-90, and it is time for Governor Cuomo to put his politics with the nation aside in the name of the safety of the traveling public,” Reed said in a statement. “Therefore, we would like to invite both parties to a meeting on Monday in Irving to bring this issue to a permanent close.”

Discussions over conditions of the road began heating up in August when Reed and Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello called on Cuomo to move on the repairs. Pressure has continued since then as motorists have complained to area representatives about the poor stretch.

This past weekend, the Thruway Authority pinned blame for the rough road on the Seneca Nation while the nation quickly responded that numerous meetings with the state were either canceled or delayed.

On the dangerous stretch of road, the speed limit is reduced from 65 mph to 45 mph and runs across nation land.