Thruway Traffic Moving -- Slowly

Traffic has starting moving – but slowly – on the section of the New York State Thruway that’s been closed since about 3 o’clock this morning.

In a news release, the New York Thruway Authoritiy says there is no estimated time for a re-opening of the highway.

Currently snow is falling in some effected areas at the rate of one inch per hour, and is expected to continue for another four to six hours.

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority buses are transporting hundreds of stranded motorists to the Cheektowaga Senior Center, which is being used as a shelter. Among the hundreds of people stuck on the road are the D’Youville men’s and women’s basketball teams that played at Pitt-Bradford last night.

No injuries have been reported up to this time, although one person using oxygen was transported as a precaution.

ATVs, snowmobiles, plows and tow-trucks are involved in rescue and digging-out operations, and providing food, water and gasoline, as needed.

The Thruway Authority says it will conduct a post-situation review to improve its performance during future storm incidents.