Plans to build a new Tappan Zee Bridge took a major step forward with Tuesday’s announcement that the Federal Highway Administration has issued a record of decision approving the state’s plans for the structure. The federal approval completes the last step in the review of the project’s environmental impact, allowing the state to move forward with implementing a plan to build the new bridge.
Public officials from the federal, state and local levels as well as business and construction leaders hailed the announcement.
Ross Pepe, president of the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley said the record of decision “marks an historic milestone” for the state.
Business Council of Westchester Vice President John Ravitz was thrilled with the news. “It just shows that the momentum that we have continued to see over this last year continues to build and today was a milestone moment because now that we have signed the environmental record of decision we can start getting access to federal dollars,” he said.
When completed, the bridge project “will make travel safer and more efficient in one of the nation’s business areas – setting the stage for economic growth for years to come.”
The state is now going to apply to the federal government for a loan to help fund the $5 billion facility. Committees are now reviewing the three proposals submitted by construction groups to undertake the massive project.
