New Tappan Zee Bridge
Encyclopedia
State and federal agencies are planning to replace the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge
over New York
's Hudson River
. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2013, with opening targeted for 2017.
built during 1952-1955. Three miles long, the bridge spans the Hudson at its second widest point. The Tappan Zee
river crossing was named by 17th century Dutch
settlers. The "Tappan" are believed to be a Native American
tribe formerly living in the area; zee is the Dutch
word for "sea". The Tappan Zee is the only bridge serving a 33-mile stretch of river that passes through New York City
's populous northern suburbs.
The deteriorating current structure bears an average of 138,000 vehicles per day, substantially more traffic than its designed capacity. During its first decade, the bridge carried fewer than 40,000 vehicles per day. Part of the justification for replacing the bridge stems from its construction
during Korean War
material shortages. Unlike other major bridges in metropolitan New York, the Tappan Zee was designed to last only 50 years.
The collapse of Minnesota's I-35W Mississippi River bridge in 2007 raised worries about the Tappan Zee's structural integrity. These concerns, together with traffic overcapacity and increased maintenance costs, escalated the serious discussions already ongoing about replacing the Tappan Zee with a tunnel
or a new bridge. Six options were identified and submitted for project study and environmental review.
issued a report in October 2011 designating the Tappan Zee's replacement to be a dual-span
twin bridge
. The new bridge will be built on the north side of the old Tappan Zee, connecting to the existing highway
approaches on both river banks. Current plans and anticipated federal funding would allow construction to begin in 2013, with completion targeted for 2017. Project costs are estimated at $5.2 billion.
Like the original, New Tappan Zee will be a toll bridge administered by the New York State Thruway Authority. The authority is project co-sponsor, along with the state Department of Transportation
.
As proposed, the new bridge will include
Infrastructure for "future transit modes", such as a potential new commuter rail link, is anticipated to occupy the planned 42-foot gap between the dual spans. The bridge plan includes as an objective, "Providing a crossing that does not preclude future trans-Hudson transit services."
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority
is studying expansion possibilities for Rockland County on the bridge's western approach. These plans could use the new bridge for direct service into Manhattan
via the Metro-North Hudson Line
, which runs along the Hudson River's east bank.
Tappan Zee Bridge
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge, usually referred to as Tappan Zee Bridge, is a cantilever bridge in New York over the Hudson River at one of its widest points; the Tappan Zee is named for an American Indian tribe from the area called "Tappan"; and zee being the Dutch word for "sea"....
over New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
's Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2013, with opening targeted for 2017.
Background
The original Tappan Zee is a cantilever bridgeCantilever bridge
A cantilever bridge is a bridge built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. For small footbridges, the cantilevers may be simple beams; however, large cantilever bridges designed to handle road or rail traffic use trusses built from...
built during 1952-1955. Three miles long, the bridge spans the Hudson at its second widest point. The Tappan Zee
Tappan Zee
The Tappan Zee is a natural widening of the Hudson River, about 3 mi across at its widest, in southeastern New York in the United States. It stretches about 10 mi along the boundary between Rockland and Westchester counties, downstream from Croton Point to Irvington...
river crossing was named by 17th century Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
settlers. The "Tappan" are believed to be a Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe formerly living in the area; zee is the Dutch
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
word for "sea". The Tappan Zee is the only bridge serving a 33-mile stretch of river that passes through New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's populous northern suburbs.
The deteriorating current structure bears an average of 138,000 vehicles per day, substantially more traffic than its designed capacity. During its first decade, the bridge carried fewer than 40,000 vehicles per day. Part of the justification for replacing the bridge stems from its construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
during Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
material shortages. Unlike other major bridges in metropolitan New York, the Tappan Zee was designed to last only 50 years.
The collapse of Minnesota's I-35W Mississippi River bridge in 2007 raised worries about the Tappan Zee's structural integrity. These concerns, together with traffic overcapacity and increased maintenance costs, escalated the serious discussions already ongoing about replacing the Tappan Zee with a tunnel
Tunnel
A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...
or a new bridge. Six options were identified and submitted for project study and environmental review.
Replacement bridge
The Federal Highway AdministrationFederal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," the Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway Program...
issued a report in October 2011 designating the Tappan Zee's replacement to be a dual-span
Span (architecture)
Span is the distance between two intermediate supports for a structure, e.g. a beam or a bridge.A span can be closed by a solid beam or of a rope...
twin bridge
Twin bridges
Twin bridges are a set of two bridges running parallel to each other. A pair of twin bridges is often referred to collectively as a twin-span or dual-span bridge. Bridges of this type are often created by building a new bridge parallel to an existing one in order to increase the traffic capacity...
. The new bridge will be built on the north side of the old Tappan Zee, connecting to the existing highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
approaches on both river banks. Current plans and anticipated federal funding would allow construction to begin in 2013, with completion targeted for 2017. Project costs are estimated at $5.2 billion.
Like the original, New Tappan Zee will be a toll bridge administered by the New York State Thruway Authority. The authority is project co-sponsor, along with the state Department of Transportation
New York State Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
.
As proposed, the new bridge will include
- Four vehicle lanes on each span, eight lanes total.
- A shared-use bicycle and pedestrian path.
Infrastructure for "future transit modes", such as a potential new commuter rail link, is anticipated to occupy the planned 42-foot gap between the dual spans. The bridge plan includes as an objective, "Providing a crossing that does not preclude future trans-Hudson transit services."
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
is studying expansion possibilities for Rockland County on the bridge's western approach. These plans could use the new bridge for direct service into Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
via the Metro-North Hudson Line
Hudson Line (Metro-North)
Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line is a commuter rail line running north from New York City along the east shore of the Hudson River. Metro-North service ends at Poughkeepsie, with Amtrak's Empire Corridor trains continuing north to and beyond Albany...
, which runs along the Hudson River's east bank.