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Move Crushed Stone's Entrance

The reconstruction of 1.6 miles of Como Park Boulevard, in the Town of Cheektowaga, at a cost of over $2.7 million to the taxpayer, is presently in progress. The high cost may be partially due to the necessity of reinforcing the roadbed due to the continual presence of extremely heavy truck traffic to and from the quarry entrance located at 500 Como Park.

For more than 10 years, residents, taxpayers groups, environmental groups, members of the town board, and certain concerned members of the state assembly and senate have tried in vain to have this entrance moved to Broadway. In a Buffalo News article dated April 29, 2004, “Como Park will be resurfaced,” then Public Works Commissioner, Maria Lehman stated, “But before starting the work, the county is interested in getting the heavy trucks going to and from Buffalo Crushed Stone off the road.”

Moving this entrance to Broadway and Indian Road, a four-lane, heavily enforced state truck route designed for heavy construction trucks would be the wise and sensible action to pursue at this time. This would eliminate the problem of heavy truck traffic, diesel (carcinogenic) exhaust, constant asphalt fumes, stones, limestone dust, dirt, and excessive noise in a heavily populated area. There are many times when the air is barely breathable. The affected neighborhood includes senior apartments, an assisted living residence, a nursing home, a hospice, a daycare center, as well as churches .

Up to this time the owners seem to have been obdurate to the wishes and well-being of nearby residents. Past discussions failed to bring about any solutions. The mere fact that Como Boulevard and the surrounding area will be part of the “Rails to Trails” project” will necessitate revisiting this issue.

Perhaps this road reconstruction provides the magic moment when this can be accomplished.

Frank Sikorski
Depew/Cheektowaga Taxpayers Association



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