Seneca Street construction begins…… in West Seneca!
Compliments of the New York State DOT, Seneca Street in West Seneca is currently undergoing a repave project from the Buffalo cityline outward from the city. I’m sorry to report, the same Seneca Street of South Buffalo still remains untouched. I fear our State representatives saw it a need to fix the suburbs first, while the waiting continues here on this side of the boarder.
Looking in the opposite direction, towards South Buffalo:
This must be the Seneca St. revitalization that Erie County has been spouting about for the past 5 years.
Comment by Chris — August 18, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Actually Chris, this is a New York State DOT project. It’s what Seneca Street in South Buffalo should be getting, West Seneca is obviously more deserving
The promises they keep making and breaking for South Buffalo are more like 10 years long, going back to when the new water lines were put in along Seneca Street. Now the “redevelopment” is just a soap box for when someone is campaigning for re-election. Sad but true.
Comment by Cindyk — August 22, 2008 @ 6:55 am
Cindy,
I understand your frustration, but it’s not the NYSDOT’s fault. Even though Seneca Street in the City of Buffalo is a New York State touring route, its maintenance is the responsibility of the City, not NYSDOT. Since West Seneca is a town, and not an incorporated city, NYSDOT has the responsibility of maintaining Rt. 16 there. (Although to make matters more confusing, there are certain sections of state touring routes outside of incorporated cities that are maintained by counties, including a section of Rt. 16 in either West Seneca or Aurora, I forget.) The City receives funding from the state Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS)and also receives other state funding through earmarks. I haven’t followed this issue very closely, but I’m under the impression that some state funds for the Seneca St. funds were earmarked. In any event, it’s the City’s responsibility for the project and therefore the City’s “fault” that the project has not yet started — assuming, and it’s a big assumption, that the City has actually received the state funds promised.
If it makes you feel any better, from the pictures you show, the West Seneca project appears to be pretty routine maintenance, with the old pavement milled and the application of 1″ to 2″ of new top coat, maybe with a little drainage work thrown in. It is not a major reconstruction, which I believe the Buffalo project is to be, when and if it ever gets started.
BTW, did Time-Warner ever take care of that pole situation you blogged about last year?
Comment by Dick S. — August 24, 2008 @ 6:36 am
I feel, in part, it is the State’s fault due to the elected (state & local) leaders who have made the promises for years and have yet to follow through on anything for Seneca Street in South Buffalo. If a County-elected (now Assmebly)representative can not provide for something within the City limits, he shouldn’t have stood at a press conference with concerned citizens saying “the money’s in the bank, folks” somewhere around 5 years ago.
And still, nothing has been brought to Seneca Street, but these same people keep getting re-elected. While I do agree the City has more of a responsibility over all, it’s the state “leaders” who make promises that they can’t deliver, in the meantime, Seneca Street in South Buffalo gets worse as West Seneca gets something better. And that, to my thinking, is a slap in the face of the same taxpayers whom work & vote in South Buffalo.
Edit: yes the utility pole was taken care of within a few days of my post. I thought I wrote a follow up.
Comment by Cindyk — August 24, 2008 @ 7:44 am