Senator Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. announced that legislation he sponsored, which authorizes and directs the study of the rules and regulations that govern the operation of drawbridges in New York State, was recently signed into law by Governor George Pataki. The newly signed law, which is effective immediately, authorizes a study that will examine the necessity of amending operating procedures of these drawbridges to find the correct balance between the needs of the automobile driving public and the 500,000 pleasure boaters in New York State.

The collaborative effort will study the effects of the current interaction of boaters and roadways when they meet at the many drawbridges in New York State. The commission will examine how the frequent rising and lowering of a drawbridge affects local traffic patterns and thus affects those traveling on the roadways. The key concern, as always, will be to ensure the safe travel on the roadways and waterways for all concerned.

The Departments of Transportation, Motor Vehicles, Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the New York State Canal Corporation will each select one member of the commission and these members will prepare the report as a body.

"The study will show us the best way to move forward with these rules of operation so that we have the most reliable and efficient system," stated Fuschillo. "In the end, the safety of all motorists in New York State will be the determining factor on what we will be correcting."

The collective group will not have the power to implement any new rules or regulations but will study the issue and make recommendations regarding their findings. Those recommendations will be presented at the end of one year to the governor and both houses of the legislature for further action.