The New York State Thruway Authority will begin work to open the second span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge on Friday evening.
TARRYTOWN—Trans-Hudson commuters may finally experience the full benefits of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, now known as the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. In fact, the ride, which for years has frustrated commuters with sometimes long and difficult traffic delays, could get much better by this Saturday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday the second span of the $3.9-billion Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will open this Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, weather permitting. Four lanes of eastbound-bound traffic will be moved onto the 3.1-mile cable-stayed span during an overnight operation beginning Friday. The governor also announced that Hudson Link, a newly enhanced commuter bus service between Rockland and Westchester counties, will begin Oct. 29 along the I-287 corridor and the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
“The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge embodies New York's greatness and shows the world that we're capable of dreaming big and delivering results for the people of this state,” Gov. Cuomo said. “This iconic, state-of-the-art twin-span structure will improve traffic flow, support the region's economy, and is part of New York's aggressive $100-billion infrastructure plan to sustain growth for generations.”
Since last year's initial traffic shift, where all New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) traffic was temporarily shifted from the Tappan Zee Bridge onto the new bridge's westbound span, design-build contractor Tappan Zee Constructors has been dismantling the old bridge while also constructing the eastbound span.
Once the second span is open, eastbound motorists will have access to four general traffic lanes and emergency shoulders. A dedicated bus lane will open this fall for eastbound traffic. The fully completed project will include shoulders and dedicated bus lanes in each direction, and a bicycle and walking path.
Beginning Oct. 29, the enhanced service will take commuters to Metro-North rail stations in both Tarrytown and White Plains. The Hudson Link will feature 19 new bus shelters equipped with off-board fare payment machines to speed service and new pedestrian safety improvements – crosswalks, signals and ramps at 13 intersections. A total of 20 intersections will receive upgrades to Intelligent Transportation System elements, such as new traffic signals.
The new Hudson Link service includes Integrated Corridor Management technology that features sensors that collect traffic and transit data to assist routing and give the buses travel priority at some intersections that have traffic signals.
The Hudson Link will feature new, 45-foot long buses that are being manufactured by Prevost in Plattsburgh, Clinton County. Passenger amenities on the buses will include wireless network service, USB charging stations and bike racks. The buses will be equipped with LED panels to provide passengers with real-time travel information.
The new transit service will also feature four routes with new and upgraded bus stops, providing frequent, convenient connections between major employment, residential, medical, and entertainment centers. These routes include: Suffern to Palisades Center in Rockland County; Monsey, to White Plains; Palisades Center to White Plains and Palisades Center to Tarrytown.
Schedules and routing for the new enhanced service are still being developed, state officials stated.
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John Jordan
John Jordan is a veteran journalist with 36 years of print and digital media experience.
