Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino recently joined Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell as the governor signed a letter of intent to apply for federal funding to build a new bridge to replace the Tappan Zee.
The letter formally initiates New York's application for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program and came after the members of the New York Metropolitan Transit Council (NYMTC) unanimously voted to support the new bridge. Read the governor's letter.
Astorino said: "Today marks an important step in building a new Tappan Zee Bridge. Challenges await us, but we are moving forward - unified in our commitment to give our counties, state and country a bridge that creates jobs, strengthens our economy, protects the environment and leaves a legacy we can be proud of."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said: "Today we are one step closer to building a new, safer bridge that will revitalize the Hudson Valley by creating thousands of jobs. After over a decade of delay caused by political dysfunction, this letter demonstrates that we are making real progress towards constructing a stronger, transit-ready bridge that will reduce congestion and be safer for drivers for years to come. Over the past few months, members of my administration have met with residents and business owners throughout the Hudson Valley to ensure that this process is as transparent and inclusive as possible."
The letter represents a significant step in the process to build a new, stronger, safer bridge that will last 100 years. Last fall, President Obama granted Governor Cuomo's request to expedite the process of constructing a new bridge to replace the Tappan Zee and to make the project a priority. The Governor presented a plan for a new bridge that will be safer for drivers, create better options and faster service for bus commuters, be transit-ready for rail or bus rapid transit, and create 45,000 new jobs in the Hudson Valley. Just last month, the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the new bridge project was released. The FEIS was compiled by a dozen state and federal agencies responding to over 3,000 comments from the public.
The NYMTC vote signifies an agreement between local officials from New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley to seek federal approval for the Tappan Zee bridge replacement project. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) is a federally-required regional council of governments that provides a collaborative transportation planning forum for New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley. NYMTC, pursuant to federal law, serves as the region's Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO). A core requirement for receiving and spending federal transportation funds is that states follow the prescribed federally-required metropolitan and statewide planning processes.
New Yorkers can see toll options, submit questions and concerns about the project through www.NewNYBridge.com or call the toll free number, 855-TZBRIDGE. The website also features videos of the community meetings and a database of all documents created over the last 10 years on the Tappan Zee Bridge. A Twitter account has been set up for Tappan Zee project, and New Yorkers can receive updates by following @NewNYBridge.