President Obama’s announcement that the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement made it to the list of 14 projects being fast-tracked by his administration brought varying reactions in Rockland County on Tuesday.  One elected official praised the move for the construction jobs and economic windfall it would bring to the region.  Another wants assurances that community questions and concerns will be addressed and not overlooked.

“It’s a good piece of news,” said State Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange).  “We all know the Tappan Zee Bridge needs to be replaced. We need the federal government to step up and assist us.”

Carlucci said the potential for the project to begin in 18 months and bring with it almost 30,000 construction jobs is a major plus for Rockland and the entire region and will  “revitalize our transportation infrastructure.”  He acknowledged many details of the multi-billion dollar project still need to be worked out, especially what type of rapid mass transit will transport people over the bridge.

“I think the rapid bus transit plan is the most realistic and something we could see happening in the next few years,” said Carlucci, noting that residents have expressed strong opposition to the idea of an elevated light rail system.  

Clarkstown Town Supervisor Alex Gromack expressed reservations over the potential for the project’s approvals to move faster and possibly minimize community concerns.  He sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo requesting that Clarkstown has a meaningful role in the planning process and also has the opportunity to be heard on specific proposals as it relates to the Town of Clarkstown.

The town formed a Tappan Zee Task Force more than a year ago because part of the massive project will go through Clarkstown and has worked with the bridge’s project team which includes representatives of the New York State Department of Transportation, New York Thruway Authority and MTA Metro North Railroad. Town Director of Finance John Sullivan heads the task force and spoke about the potential impact on three specific communities: Central Nyack, West Nyack and Nanuet.

“What we have gotten from the project team so far has been very tentative,” said Sullivan. 

He said a proposal for moving the current NY State Thruway exit further down Route 59 would have a negative impact on Central Nyack as would situating a rapid bus transit stop in the same general area.  In West Nyack, the possibility of having an elevated trestle for mass transit would transform the hamlet dramatically.  In Nanuet, a rapid bus transit stop has been proposed for an area that already houses several expansive commuter parking lots.

“I think at this point we haven’t gotten any definite answers to those concerns,” said Gromack.  “We need a commitment from them that the ones we outlined also need to be fast tracked.”

Gromack said the task force formed transportation, road and community subcommittees which each identified issues that need to be resolved.  Those issues will be included in a position paper the task force plans to present within the next month.

As the project moves forward through the planning, environmental impact and permitting process, Carlucci said it is critical to make sure the bridge’s foundation can accommodate future technological advancements in transportation.

“Transportation infrastructure is a cornerstone in maintaining safety standards for our residents and is integral to economic development in New York State,” he said. 

Carlucci described the project as the best investment “we could make for our community for the future.”

The final bridge design and components have not yet been selected. Replacement of the bridge built in the 1950s reportedly has the potential to create more jobs than any other infrastructure project in the nation.