Riverkeeper has publicly called for the option of rehabilitating he current Tappan Zee Bridge. A rehabilitation could address any safety issues including earthquake protection, as well as potentially offer shoulder (break down lanes), a bicycle/pedestrian path, and environmentally protective drainage system, and a state-of-the-art bus rapid transit system. The price tag? about $2.5 billion or about $12 billion less than the most conservative estimates for a new bridge with all its touted bells and whistles.

Rehabilitation of an existing bridge is a commonplace solution for an aging span. In 1991 New York City Department of Transportation began rehabilitating the Williamsburg Bridge (opened in 1903) "to undo the effects of are, weather, increased traffic volumes and deferred maintenance and prepare the bridge for another 100 years of service to the City of New York." The Manhattan Bridge (opened in 1909) is also undergoing a major rehabilitation, as are the Brooklyn Bridge (opened in 1883) and the Queensboro (opened in 1909).

Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts of a "New TPZ"

--In-River Construction For Years: Irreversible impacts on the Hudson River, its fisheries, and aquatic biota
-- A Trigger for Sprawl: A widened bridge will spur the migration of large numbers of NYC and Westchester workers to rural communities in Orange and Ulster Counties
-- Where will Funding Come from?: Much of the cost for the new bridge - $14.5 billion - will more than likely be borne by New York taxpayers.