Tappan Zee Replacement Gains Traction

TARRYTOWN, NY-The wheels are in motion to replace the aging Tappan Zee Bridge connecting Tarrytown and Nyack on opposite banks of the Hudson River. Following approval of the $3.14-billion bid by a consortium known as Tappan Zee Construction, the New York State Thruway Authority has authorized $500 million in bonds to help pay for initial construction costs. Up next is the start of public outreach with a pair of community meetings scheduled for next week.

“This is a giant step forward for the new New York Bridge to replace the Tappan Zee, a project that is vital to the long-term economic well-being of the lower Hudson Valley and the entire region,” Howard Milstein, chairman of the Thruway Authority’s board of directors, said when final approval of the TZC contract was announced on Jan. 18. “It is also important to note that the design-build process produced a savings of $1.7 billion compared with original state and federal cost estimates.”