Politics & Government

Tappan Zee Rebuild Likely to Start in Spring

The new Tappan Zee Bridge bridge requires some formal permits and approvals.

When we heard the improbable news that work on the new Tappan Zee Bridge would start in "early 2013" that seemed a long way off at the time...just a few months back.

Now 2013 is here—so what's happening with the bridge?

Two Tarrytown citizens are among those holding the closest ties to the project— Planning Board Member David Aukland is on the citizen advisory committee and Mayor Drew Fixell is on the mass transit advisory committee.

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Aukland suggested that asked the Thruway Authority make a designated, signed and equipped, viewing space on the shore “because the area at the bottom of West Main won't work for more than a couple of cars at a time.”

He also walked Patch through his sense of the timeline of what's to come:

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1. Formal approval is still needed from Albany, both financial and legal. Both are expected to be automatic, as Governor Andrew Cuomo supports the project and the TA team has had those approvals in mind throughout. Aukland supposed they'll get that this month.

2. Then the builder has to get some dredging and related permits. They are in hand, but they involve entities that move gently and ask close questions. The hope is that they will come in before the dredging season.

3. The builder will start bringing in gear as soon as they get the official green light, with the monster crane as the key item. Aukland figures that is scheduled so dredging can start as soon as it is permitted.

4. The actual work however is constrained rigidly by sturgeon rituals. Aukland recalls there are two species with different mating runs, so the dredging windows are tight.

5. Aukland's estimate: The net result of all that is that work will begin in the Spring.


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