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Funding secured, century-old Route 5 barrier to be replaced

Posted at 5:14 PM, May 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-15 17:14:42-04

ATHOL SPRINGS, N.Y. (WKBW) — U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced Wednesday the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) have settled their differences on the Athol Springs seawall project in Hamburg.

USACE and NYSDOT couldn't come to an agreement on the Project Partnering agreement which was holding the project up.

Schumer is now calling on USACE to issue an expedited timeline and get construction underway.

“Following our prodding, I’m pleased that the federal Army Corps of Engineers and DOT have worked out their differences and forged an agreement that will greenlight rebuilding the crumbling break wall that shields drivers from the waves that crash onto Route 5 in Athol Springs,” said Senator Schumer. “I was proud to fight for and deliver the rare, 100% federal funding for this vital project, but we simply cannot afford to wait any more to start the construction on this long-sought barrier that will protect a main artery between Buffalo and the Southtowns and ensure the safety of residents and commuters. Now let’s get shovels in the ground A-S-A-P, because Western New York has waited long enough.”

The project was announced in September 2018, which calls for a new barrier that will be 1,325 feet long and will include a 15-foot wide "splash apron," designed to further protect motorists. The splash apron will also double as a concrete pedestrian walkway along the shoreline.