Officials: New Tappan Zee Bridge Would Be Obsolete Without Mass Transit
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - How you get between Westchester County and Rockland County is the subject of controversy this morning.
WCBS 880's Marla Diamond On The Story
Podcast
More than a dozen elected officials, including the Rockland and Westchester county executives are among those asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reconsider the slimmed-down, $5.2 billion replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge that has been fast-tracked for federal approvals.
It does not include either bus or rail elements. Proposals with those elements had price tags of up to $21 billion.
Rockland St. Sen. David Carlucci says without mass transit, the bridge will be obsolete from day one.
"We do need a new bridge, and that's why I think the governor is being pragmatic about it. But we've gotta have a bridge that we can all be happy with when it is built," Carlucci told WCBS 880 reporter Marla Diamond. "Build it with the 21st Century in mind."
A Cuomo spokesman said the bus line could be added, if each county executive writes a $1 billion check.
As far as where the money comes from Calucci said, "That's the huge, the multi-billion dollar question. We've got to think outside the box. This has got to be a partnership, not just within New York state, but with our nation."
As the debate rages over the replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge, there are talks to turn the current stucture into a park.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments section below!
