BUFFALO (AP) -- New guidelines for dealing with traffic emergencies have been developed in response to a snow-related backup that stranded motorists for up to 20 hours on a New York highway near Buffalo last month.
The guidelines released by the Cuomo administration on Friday allow regional supervisors to close sections of Interstate 90, known as the Thruway, during emergencies, rather than wait for Albany's approval. They also step up incident monitoring and communication among agencies and with motorists.
After a toll-free stretch of the highway came to a standstill during a storm Dec. 1-2, Thruway officials were criticized for reacting too slowly and allowing unsuspecting motorists to continue driving into the mess.
The state has also formed a new Winter Emergency Action Team composed of transportation leaders.
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