Feds award state $1.6B loan to fix Tappan Zee Bridge

NY Daily News ^ | 11/1/13 | Kenneth Lovett

[Impala64ssa]

ALBANY — In a major boost for the state, the federal government has awarded New York the low-interest loan it was seeking to help pay for the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The feds agreed to lend up to $1.6 billion — the largest loan ever given out under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act — to fund a third of the anticipated costs for the new bridge over the Hudson River.

It’s everything we’ve been looking for and more,” Cuomo crowed on public radio.

Earlier this week, Standard & Poor’s reduced the Thruway Authority’s bond rating from an A-plus to an A, citing concern on how much tolls will go up to pay for the new bridge.

[Impala64ssa]

Whether the current Tappan Zee Bridge gets repaired or replaced, either way it will cost tons and tons of $$$. And it will be a good reason to not only jack up the tolls, but look for excuses to increase taxes.

[ToastedHead]

I love the Tappan Zee! There’s nothing like looking through the pavement and seeing the river. Where else on earth can you get that kinda view?

[ToastedHead]

And where in the hell would they ever route traffic on the Rockland side?? I can’t see it being possible to simultaneously build a new bridge alongside the LeadMonster. It’ll have to be a $1.6B bandaid.

[Beowulf9]

I hate the Tappan Zee! There’s nothing like looking through the pavement and seeing the river. Where else on earth can you get that kinda view?

People driving like it’s nothing and me coming over from Sleepy Hollow in a vacation rented car and freaking out, so high up!!

So why do they need to do it? Is there something wrong with the old Tappan Zee? Nothing mentioned in the article. Seems like bridges built much longer ago have held up better.

and if they tear it down do you think they’ll find Hoffa’s skeleton?

[Black Agnes]

When I lived in that area I almost took a job that would have had me commuting over that bridge. I decided there wasn’t enough valium in the world for that.

[ConorMacNessa]

$1.6 Billion for a stinking bridge? And we can't find money to equip our soldiers in battle?

Let them swim across the Hudson and save the money for our Troops!

Better yet, stop the flow of funds to the Imperial Presidency - he spends more of our hard-earned tax dollars on greens fees, expensive dinners and vacations than most people earn in a year!

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Eagles Up! Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[spokeshave]

When the coming ice age kicks in....the river will be frozen...so a bridge won’t be required.

[Olog-hai]

Funny how the government can charge tolls on infrastructure and still not manage to make a profit, yes? Now imagine the TZB completely privatized instead.

[Irenic]

Does this mean that the demonrats get to shut it down and deny access next time government shuts down?

[stanne]

In a ‘70s vw beetle. On a windy day. I never liked it anyway but remembering that ... I’m going to have bad dreams

[Cyber Liberty]

Where else on earth can you get that kinda view?

Mackinac Bridge is also see-through. It's a long way to the water....

[ToastedHead]

My very first job outta college was in Mount Kisco. The first few months I still rented a scummy apartment up in Middletown, in Orange County.

I drove all the way across to the Newburgh-Beacon, and then all the way down to Mount Kisco, just to avoid the Tappan Zee. It was a nightmare I will never forget.

[ToastedHead]

They’ve been talking about what a mess that bridge is structurally ever since I started driving. An old friend of mine from college was doing “lead abatement” on it back before 9/11, and he said it looked horrible. My daddy is a civil engineer and he loves to talk about any NY infrastructure. His fav is the water system.

[ToastedHead]

Its hard to get a good view really, because now when I go over it, its usually 4am when there’s no traffic and I am doing roughly 80mph.

I used to drive up through Canada to Detroit to see my grandparents across the Ambassador Bridge. Is that near Mackinaw?

[ToastedHead]

The freezing point of the Hudson has to be really low from all the goo in there. It will remain crossable for the first hundred years or so:)

[Darksheare]

Crappan zee bridge, perpetually under construction since opening day.
And the metal plates bolted to the decking really add to the charm.
And damaged vehicle suspensions.

[Darksheare]

Reminded me of a wpdh parody song “roll brown water” with the line about the Hudson river water eating a hole in his jet ski.

[Cyber Liberty]

Not near Mackinac. Ambassador is in Detroit/Windsor while Mackinac connects the two peninsulas at the top of the mitt where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet.

[ToastedHead]

"$1.6 Billion for a stinking bridge? And we can't find money to equip our soldiers in battle?" "They paid the toll. They knew what they were getting into. I say, let 'em crash." (I agree. I got out of that cesspool and moved to Virginia. Screw 'em.)

[Darksheare]

I live fifty minutes or less from the Crappan Zee.
I’m amazed that the thing hasn’t dropped into the river yet.
Of course, it’s likely fear of the Hudson river water that repels the bridge structure and keeps it supported.