Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 October 2011 11:05

Oct 26, 2011 -- Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino Tuesday attended and made remarks at the first public scoping session for the Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing Project in Tarrytown. The briefing was arranged by the Federal Highway Association, New York State Department of Transportation and the state Thruway Authority. The county will be formally submitting scoping questions that address some of these issues in detail.

Astorino, who has been a vocal supporter of the bridge's rebuilding, thanked federal and state officials for moving the project forward, yet voiced concerns about the proposed design's absence of a mass transit component and the lingering questions over how the project would ultimately be funded.

"I've spent a great deal of time talking about the importance of rebuilding the Tappan Zee Bridge and I was thrilled to learn that the project was finally moving forward," said Astorino. "However, before shovels go in the ground, it is critical that the public fully understand the proposal before us and the impact it will have on our pocketbooks, environment and communities. Specifically, I am troubled by the proposed design's absence of a mass transit component that would help alleviate congestion."

Astorino noted the importance of keeping costs under control, but warned against building a bridge that is penny-wise and pound-foolish. "We can't build an eight-track bridge in an iPod world. Our efforts must produce practical solutions, not only to the problems of today, but to the challenges we will face in the future." Astorino urged the federal and state agencies responsible for the project to reconsider the design to immediately accommodate Bus Rapid Transit, which would provide great benefit at a minimal cost.