BUFFALO, N.Y. — Congressman Brian Higgins is once again calling for the Skyway to be removed.

He was joined Thursday by state Senator Tim Kennedy.

Higgins says the Skyway does not meet federal safety standards and would not be built today.

He pointed to the dangers of falling debris and contaminated highway runoff.

Higgins says any alternative designs need to address safety for drivers and pedestrians.

"There's no shoulder,” Higgins (D) said. “And we have frequent closings, over 190 each year, due to weather. Due to accidents. Due to other incidents."

"We want to create a parkway,” Kennedy (D) said. “We want to open up public access to the Waterfront on, where it sits today, a 55 mph expressway. And the only way we can do that is if we reroute traffic in a parkway-like setting through the city of Buffalo from the Waterfront to the 190."

Higgins says removing the Skyway would eliminate more than 30 acres of concrete and asphalt surfaces from the Outer Harbor.