{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/higgins-applauds-gbnrtc-action-on-skyway-environmental-review", "Higgins Applauds GBNRTC Action On Skyway Environmental Review", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "NY", "Brian Higgins", "H001038", "higgins.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced continued progress on efforts to examine removal of the Buffalo Skyway.\u00a0 On Monday, December 12, the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC), the region\u2019s transportation planning board, took action to endorse plans for formal environmental review of Skyway alternatives.\n\u201cA full environmental review provides this community with data to make informed decisions about the future of the Skyway,\u201d said Congressman Higgins.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a necessary first step in the potential removal of the elevated highway that we believe has outlived its usefulness and serves as a structural barrier to the continued economic growth along our waterfront.\u201d\nHiggins has been pressing for Skyway removal for years and in June received confirmation from the New York State Transportation Commissioner that the Department of Transportation will move forward with a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).\u00a0 The $6 million review will be supported with federal highway funding and state matching funds. \u00a0\nThe EIS will evaluate alternatives including rehabilitation, replacement and/or removal of the Skyway.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The process includes an examination of mobility, environmental, cultural and economic impacts, as well as mitigation actions, associated with both the removal and/or replacement of the Skyway.\u00a0 Project scoping is set to begin in April.\u00a0\nThe Buffalo Skyway is a 1.4 mile elevated highway built in 1956, when Buffalo\u2019s bustling port received twenty million tons of cargo annually via lake freighter.\u00a0 Today the structure looms over prime property at Canalside and an additional 27 acres of property along the Outer Harbor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/higgins-applauds-gbnrtc-action-on-skyway-environmental-review"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4996409881860018, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}