Tappan Zee Bridge Final Environmental Report

After , ,  and spirited debate over the , it's here: the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The FEIS document, released Wednesday, is more in-depth than its predecessor, the  (DEIS) and answers many of residents' lingering questions about the $5.2 billion project.

The document was released by the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has championed the construction of a new span .

The FEIS addresses the issues of land acquisition, air quality, climate change, noise and socioeconomic conditions across thousands of pages.

Its release comes just one day before the New York State Thruway Authority and govenor's office hold a a session at Rockland Community College (RCC). That will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Technology Building on the RCC campus in Suffern.  

One of the first issues addressed i the FEIS is why bridge alternatives—like repairs to the current span, or a Tappan Zee tunnel—are not feasible. The document labels them "not prudent," noting they do not fit with the intended "goals and objectives."

Another portion highlights the predicted impact that noise will have on residents, and how the state plans to mitigate it. During recent tests, South Nyack residents .

In the section titled "Noise and Vibration," state officials note sound-barriers, decibel measurements, restrictions on construction-related noise and other solutions will be employed.

Immediately following the 2,000-page document's release came a statement from Ross Pepe, president of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley and treasurer of BuildTheBridgeNowNY.org:

Today marks the beginning of the end in the decade-long campaign to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge... Our statewide coalition, BuildTheBridgeNowNY.org, applauds Gov. Cuomo and his team for its steadfast commitment to replace the Tappan Zee with a state-of-the-art transportation facility all New Yorkers can celebrate and support.

Late last week, the state  from three construction conglomerates seeking to tackle the project.

Stay with Patch over the coming days and weeks as our reporters study the document and speak with residents, relevant professionals and public officials.

Along with the FEIS document comes a new website. Copies of the FEIS are available online at www.newnybridge.com (formerly www.thenewtzb.com) and for review and copying during business hours at the repositories listed here. 

The public review period runs through Sept. 4, and will be followed by an issuance of a Record of Decision.

Until Sept. 4, responses should be addressed to: 

Michael Anderson
New York State Department of Transportation
4 Burnett Boulevard
Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 

or, email tzbsite@dot.state.ny.us.