Police Chief Wants Equipment Moved From Vestal Road Now

Vestal Police Chief John Butler isn't pleased that construction equipment blocking a key roadway may not be removed until early next month.

Binghamton officials have indicated they expect the crane and other gear related to the sewage treatment plant project will be taken off Vestal Road by November 4.

Butler said he expects the town will "do anything that's legally possible" to expedite the removal of the equipment.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Friday, the police chief said town officials are working with Broome County representatives to consider possible options.

The county-controlled roadway was shut down to westbound traffic in May 2016 because of the major reconstruction work at the sewage treatment facility. The closure was supposed to last for two years.

County Executive Jason Garnar said the city had been ordered to have all of the equipment on Vestal Road removed by October 1. He said "going on 11 days now, the city has been trespassing on the county road."

Garnar said if the equipment isn't removed until November 4, it won't be possible to repair the roadway to put it back into use until next spring.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.