Local Summit to Host Public Tappan Zee Panel Discussion
- When:
- April 17, 2012: 7:45AM to 9:15AM
- Where:
- Nautilus Diner, 1240 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck map
Join Riverkeeper at this panel discussion hosted by The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Summit, a citizens’ action group supporting the greater Larchmont-Mamaroneck-Rye Neck community.
The existing Tappan Zee Bridge, opened 56 years ago, was built with an expected life span of 50 years. It costs approximately $100 million annually to maintain and operate. Recognizing the need to replace the bridge, Governor Cuomo supported the TPZ replacement project, and with the assistance of the Obama Administration to have it fast-tracked through Federal approvals so that construction on the estimated $5.2 billion 100-year life project could begin as early as mid-2012. The proposal for the new TZB has been the subject of public hearings and has resulted in nearly 650 written comments from various interest groups and the general public to the Federal Highway Administration, NYS Department of Transportation and the NYS Thruway Authority through a March 31, 2012 comment period. Among other subjects, commentators have addressed the draft environmental impact study, costs, funding, effects on local communities, impact on traffic and congestion, and what to do with the existing bridge. A view expressed by a number of groups is to expand the project now to include a bus mass rapid transit service when the bridge opens, instead of retrofitting it for mass transit at a later time as the project now contemplates.
The April 17th TZB panelists will be:
— Kristina McCarthy, from the Westchester County League of Women Voters, which has been following the new bridge proposal and suggestions that have been made for mass rapid transit service when the bridge opens;
— Phillip Musegaas, the Hudson River Project Director for Riverkeeper, an environmental organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries and protecting the drinking water of 9 million New York City and Hudson River residents;
— Ross J. Pepe, an expert in transportation construction, the President of the Construction Industry council of Westchester and Hudson Valley and a representative of the Committee for BuildThe BridgeNowNY.org, a statewide coalition of business, labor, commuters, residents and others who favor the TZB proposal while state and Federal funding is attainable;
— And Veronica Vanterpool, the Associate Director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign which advocates balanced transportation policy at the local, state and Federal level, and increased investment in public transportation.
A question and answer period will follow the panel presentations. The program is expected to end by 9:15 a.m.
CONTACT: Robert B. Hiden, Jr.
Local Summit Vice President
Tel: 914-834-5473
Fax: 914-834-4918
Email: [email protected]
