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Thruway delays repairs on Grand Island Bridge


Updated: 02/28/08 6:46 AM

The state Thruway Authority has put repairs on the South Grand Island Bridge on hold after the single bid on the $45 million project came in 50 percent above estimates, authority officials said Wednesday.

The authority will seek new bids this summer, said Kimberly Chupa, authority spokeswoman.

“We are committed to the project,” she said.

Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, accused the authority of using the bridge project to justify its toll increases in 2005 and then reneging on the plans for critical repairs.

“The problem is the Thruway Authority is not only jerking Western New York around, they are threatening public safety,” Higgins said.