The three designs are all a noticeable departure from the look of the current bridge, which carries I-87/I-287 over the Hudson River between Westchester County and Rockland County.
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge (its official name) opened in 1955 and was expected to last about 50 years. More than 138,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day, far more than it was designed to handle, according to the Thruway Authority. Its accident rate is double the average rate on the rest of the 574-mile Thruway.
The Thruway Authority received more than 750,000 pages for three design proposals.
The bridge in Proposal 1 would take a little more than five years to build and would cost at least $3.1 billion. It would be mass transit ready. The selection committee has recommended this proposal, but it is nonbinding.
Proposal 2, also mass transit ready, would take about 6 years to complete and cost almost $4 billion
Proposal 3 would take about 5 years and 11 months and cost just over $4 billion. But making it mass transit ready would entail more costs.
All three proposals meet environmental standards, according to the Thruway Authority.
Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's design-build law, the bridge contractor would have to pay for most cost overruns.
The Thruway Authority has received feedback from the public via phone and email and at public hearings. You can call 855-892-7434 or email tzb.info@thruway.ny.gov or attend a meeting to make your opinion known.
The Thruway Authority will make a final decision on the three proposals on December 17, 2012. Construction on the bridge would begin in 2013.
Poll
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Sunday, May 19 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:24:33 GMT
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Officials in Connecticut say it was amazing that there were no fatalities or more injuries after two Metro-North trains collided around 6 p.m. in Fairfield Friday evening.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:05 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:05:15 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:35 AM EDT2013-05-17 13:35:33 GMT
Danbury's police chief says four officers have violated the city's police rules governing rudeness and civility during a routine traffic stop and that the matter has been referred to state prosecutors.
Danbury's police chief says four officers have violated the city's police rules governing rudeness and civility during a routine traffic stop and that the matter has been referred to state prosecutors.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:05 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:05:50 GMT
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thirty-seven claims have been filed in federal court in Newark over the crash of a commuter ferry in New York City that left dozens of passengers injured.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:36:00 GMT
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-15 11:19:02 GMT
New approaches are needed to combat drunken driving, which claims the lives of more than a third of the people killed annually on U.S highways
New approaches are needed to combat drunken driving, which claims the lives of more than a third of the people killed annually on U.S highways and has remained stubbornly high for the past decade and a half, a new report said.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:48 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:48:44 GMT
The Citi Bike bicycle share program funded by Citibank and run by the city starts May 2, 2013, Memorial Day. 250 CitiBike stations have been plopped down in Manhattan south of 60th Street and in Brooklyn.
The Citi Bike bicycle share program funded by Citibank and run by the city starts May 2, 2013, Memorial Day. 250 CitiBike stations have been plopped down in Manhattan south of 60th Street and in Brooklyn.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:28:27 GMT
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who represents New York City, said he will resign June 20 amid a sexual harassment scandal and run for a City Council seat.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 2:49 PM EDT2013-05-16 18:49:22 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to $550 Million dollars for Saturday's drawing after none of the tickets sold for the Powerball game Wednesday evening matched all six numbers drawn.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-16 11:42:27 GMT
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Authorities say they plan to resume the search for an upstate man now that a body found in the Hudson River earlier this week has been identified as his companion in a canoe that capsized last December.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:03 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:03:28 GMT
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources
Top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer plans to revive legislation that would protect journalists and their employers from revealing their sources, days after it was revealed that the Justice Department secretly obtained Associated Press phone records.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 6:09 AM EDT2013-05-14 10:09:21 GMT
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving.
The country's four biggest cellphone companies are set to launch their first joint advertising campaign against texting while driving, uniting behind AT&T's "It Can Wait" slogan.