Calls New Bridge Option an Environmental Disaster
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2006
Contact: Robert Goldstein: 914.478.4501 ext 225
Sabrina Wells: 914.478.4501 ext 242
_________________________________________________________________
March 9, 2006 – Tarrytown, NY – Today the environmental watchdog group Riverkeeper released its position concerning the proposed improvement of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The NYS Department of Transportation is considering six options for the bridge, four of which involve the construction of a new bridge at a cost of between $5 and $14.5 billion dollars. After closely analyzing all the options and consulting with community leaders, Riverkeeper has decided to
support “Alternative 2” which allows for the rehabilitation of the existing bridge with state-ofthe-art transportation management measures at a cost of $2 to 2.5 billion. Riverkeeper also supports Senator Schumer’s recent proposal to build a new tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan to provide Orange and Rockland residents with a “one-seat” train ride to New York City.

Riverkeeper, in evaluating the options for improving the Tappan Zee Bridge, considered: the impacts to the Tappan Zee’s fisheries and habitats which could be harmed by the construction of the proposed structure and the removal of the existing span; the long-term pollution that would accompany a new bridge’s inevitable inducement of ever greater motor vehicle traffic; and the sprawl development that increased vehicle and transit capacity would undoubtedly invite.

“The proposal for an entirely new bridge with all the bells and whistles would have severe environmental impacts on the Hudson and surrounding communities and would be a total waste of taxpayer money,” stated Hudson Riverkeeper Alex Matthiessen. “Traffic in and around New York City is already bad; a new bridge with 12 lanes will only encourage more drivers to venture into Manhattan. A rehabilitated bridge with sensible traffic management measures – together
with a one-seat ride via the existing Pascack and Port Jervis lines – is all that is needed to meet the traffic management and commuter goals of this project.”

“Bridge construction would create serious environmental consequences. The fisheries in the Tappan Zee are only now being able to recover from a century of pollution and development pressure,” according to Robert Goldstein, Riverkeeper’s senior attorney. “The Shortnose sturgeon, a federally-protected endangered species is a great concern with any proposed construction in one of its essential habitats.”

“The proposals for a new bridge with mass transit alternatives are not necessary,” said Goldstein, “Senator Charles Schumer’s proposal last month of a new tunnel connecting rail lines in New Jersey with Manhattan obviates the need for mass transit links across the Tappan Zee.”
According to Sen. Schumer’s announcement, that tunnel connecting the Port Jervis line and the Pascack line with a new station on 34th Street in Manhattan will cut the commute time from New York’s Orange County to Manhattan by 25%, and allow for a “one-seat ride.”

Riverkeeper believes that refurbishing the bridge with additional pollution controls and state-ofthe-art traffic management systems, such as dedicated bus lanes would solve many of the regions traffic problems. “We remain very concerned with the period of construction on the bridge, and urge the New York State Department of Transportation, the lead agency in this process, to develop
construction patterns and schedules that will have the least impact on commuters,” said Goldstein.

About Riverkeeper Riverkeeper is a member-supported, not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to safeguarding the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and the watershed areas that provide drinking water to New York City and parts of four upstate counties.
For more information, see www.riverkeeper.org.