Last car crosses now-closed Tappan Zee Bridge north of NYC

Fox News ^ | 10/7/17

[Impala64ssa]

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – With a 1929 Model A Ford Phaeton making the final 3.1-mile (4.99-kilometer) journey across the Hudson River, the Tappan Zee Bridge in New York City's northern suburbs has officially closed. Much of the fanfare that accompanied the opening of an adjacent $3.9 billion twin-span named in honor of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo in August was missing Friday night when the Tappan Zee saw its final crossing, according to The Journal News . Seth Kestenbaum was the last driver to cross the 61-year-old bridge around 10 p.m. in the vintage Ford. "If you're first across the bridge, everyone's going to be repeating that," Kestenbaum said. "I'm the last one to cross the bridge. I've got to tell you, what an honor." One of the two new spans is now accommodating traffic flowing both ways between Westchester and Rockland counties in New York's northern suburbs on the bridge named for current Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's father, who died in 2015. That span officially opened in late August for Rockland-bound drivers. Cuomo and other dignitaries were on hand for the ceremonial first ride across the bridge. On Friday night, Westchester-bound traffic was quietly diverted onto the same span. A temporary concrete divider will be used until the second span opens next year. The new bridge project was launched by the state Thruway Authority in 2013 after decades of political squabbling. The Tappan Zee opened in 1955. Eventually, the Thruway Authority will give away parts of the old bridge's deck and its moveable barrier system. Eight counties have requested some of the 150 deck panels to be salvaged for reuse in other bridges.

[Impala64ssa]

< the guy who use to sing “Mario, assenza me! Tu sei un proprio sfaccim." "He can run New York State, but the streets are filled with hate, when he comes to town this is what we say, Mario, assenza me! Tu sei un proprio sfaccim. >
Yes! I forgot his name, but he was a regular caller to the show. He came from Long Island (Syosset?)

[Katya]

Aptly stated, for me it was always a landmark crossing on our trek back from Maine to DC.

[clive bitterman]

“Try doing the GWB, Cross Bronx Expressway, and the NE Throughway in a semi 5 times a week. This is why Im now driving a school bus.”

I used to do that back in the 80’s...my favorite part was, due to the Cross Bronx Expressway being in such a horrible condition, my rig would literally “jump” out of its lane into an adjoining one. I can recall taking a glance into the side mirror as I bounced over praying that no one was there for me to land on.

[foreverfree]

Our family drove across it going to Nova Scotia and some time later, Cape Cod. RIP, TZB.