STUDY NEEDED RE: DEMOLITION OF TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE

Tappan Bridge Park Alliance

Creating open space across the Hudson

Alliance calls for study of TZ demolition

Jan. 26, 2012

TARRYTOWN - The Tappan Bridge Park Alliance today criticized the draft environmental study for the new Tappan Zee Bridge, noting that it failed to consider an alternative that would include preserving the old bridge as a three-mile-long linear park. That alternative was requested by several public officials and members of the Tappan Bridge Park Alliance, including advocates for cyclists and pedestrians, during the hearings and public advocacy meetings for the scoping process last fall.

The Draft Environmental Impact Study calls for the old bridge’s demolition. Part of the old bridge would be demolished as the new bridge was built, and the remaining structure would be taken down by crane after the new span was erected. The demolition will follow the investment of an estimated $1.8 billion in public funds to repair the bridge over about 15 years. In addition, the DEIS doesn’t addressed the negative environmental impact that the demolition of the bridge will cause.

The Tappan Bridge Park Alliance envisions a three-mile long park for pedestrians and cyclists that would connect Westchester and Rockland counties and would generate economic and community development to the region by providing a world-class destination and a much needed open space in the congested lower Hudson Valley.

The Tappan Bridge Park Alliance this week launched a petition drive on the Care 2 petition site, at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/tappanbridgepark-vision-not-demolition/ . Please visit the Alliance website at www.tappanbridgepark.com and support the petition to Governor Cuomo to include in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) a feasibility study of transforming the bridge into a linear park.

Paul Feiner & Milagros Lecuona

Co-Chairs Tappan Bridge Park Alliance

David McKay Wilson

Executive Director, Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam

Advocacy Director, Westchester Cycle Club