BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced SMonday that the travel ban has been lifted for all communities in the county.
Lackawanna was the last to lift the ban. The mayor of Lackawanna tells Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz that the main and secondary roads are good, but they were still working on some side streets. Extra equipment was brought in by the county to assist.
The travel ban for the Town and Village of Lancaster, Cheektowaga, Sloan and Depew has been lifted.
All other cities, towns and villages are in a travel advisory.
The New York State Thruway posted on their website that the "full commercial vehicle ban has been lifted on the New York State Thruway between Exit 46 and the Pennsylvania State Line (I-90) in both directions as well as the entire length of the (I-190) Niagara Section." as of 6am Monday.
Law enforcement is issuing tickets to those who do violate the travel ban.
"My top priority is to keep New Yorkers safe, and this winter storm continues to pose a life and safety risk," Governor Hochul said. "While there are some areas that are no longer experiencing whiteout conditions, much of Erie County remains unsafe for motorists. Please take precautions, monitor local forecasts and take steps to keep you and your family safe."
The US-bound side of the Peace Bridge in Buffalo is back open.
A travel ban is already in effect for empty trucks/trailers and all tandem trucks. That ban started at 9 a.m. Saturday on the following routes:
Thruway:
- I-90 Exit 46 – PA line
- I-190 (south of the North Grand Island Bridge)
NYSDOT:
- Buffalo Skyway (NY 5) (Cars on Route 5 traveling north, into Buffalo, will be diverted off by Tifft Street.)
- U.S. 219
- NY 400
- I-190 (north of the North Grand Island Bridge)
- I-290
- I-990
- Kensington Expressway (NY 33)
- I-86 in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County
City of Buffalo DPW commissioner Nate Marton says the city has 200 pieces of equipment to help clear snow.
Gov. Hochul issued a State of Emergency on Friday, to ensure extra resources will be available in Western New York to help local officials deal with the winter storm.
Hochul said she has activated 100 members of the New York National Guard to be in place in Western New York this weekend to assist with the snow event.
The DPW assigned four front loaders across the city to ensure they could carve a path to any emergency the fire or police department may respond to.
"We anticipate complete freedom of movement based on the amount of snowfall that we're anticipating," Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said.
The travel advisory in Genesee County has been lifted, but police remind motorists to use caution when going out.
Poloncarz also said more people are needed to shovel multiple feet of snow near Highmark Stadium.
"Effective immediately, the county and state are hereby authorizing individuals to travel to the stadium to assist in snow removal in order to ensure the stadium is safe and clear before it opens to the public on Monday," he said.
"If any person wishes to travel to the stadium to assist in snow removal, people are directed to drive down Route 20 (Southwestern Boulevard) or Abbott Road, which are clear. The Thruway (Interstates 90 and 190), Route 219, Route 400 and Route 5 remain closed to all traffic."
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