Neighbors frustrated with the slow progress on some repair work to Lake Avenue in Blasdell have reason to be optimistic.

The Erie County Legislature approved more than $2 million to improve Lake Avenue in 2016, and parts of the road have been improved, but a 2.4 mile stretch in Blasdell remains untouched.

County leaders spoke out Thursday night to explain the hold up.

“First of all, they’re dealing with the railroads and anytime you’re dealing with the railroads, you get delays,” explained Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon. “Secondly, there was some infrastructure (problems), the water authority had to come in and do some work on the aging lines underneath and those had to be replaced. So there was other work that had to be done before you could start with the actual road work itself.”

County leaders say project plans are currently being approved and work is scheduled to begin next year.