Unfinished span of the new Tappan Zee
By Johna Till Johnson
Photo composition by Brian Fulton-Howard
Four years ago this month, I wrote about the “New bridge over the Hudson” that was to replace the Tappan Zee. At the time, it was hard to believe the bridge would really be built; the project had been in discussions since 1999. At $3.9 billion, the new construction would represent one of the largest infrastructure investments in New York this century. And it would be the first new bridge to be constructed since the Verrazano-Narrows in 1964.
A daunting prospect; skepticism was warranted.
Guess what? It’s here! And astonishingly, it was completed on time and on budget, as governor Andrew Cuomo was quick to point out. The grand opening of the new bridge was last summer (though one span remains to be completed in 2018).
Right after it opened, on a bright summer day, Brian and I paddled up to see it. As we bounced over the slight waves, the twin peaks of the bridge’s profile (a cable-stayed design) slowly emerged from a dusting of clouds.
It looked strangely familiar…
The profile of the bridge emerges…
… Of course! It was remarkably similar to the original artist’s rendering, below:
Artist’s rendering (New York Times)
I think the actual bridge is even prettier than the original conception, but it’s hard to say, as it’s still surrounded by the original Tappan Zee, which won’t be torn down until sometime this year.
As Brian and I paddled closer to the bridge, we were struck by the sight of the unfinished span that appeared in cross-section in the middle of the combined infrastructure.
It’s not every day you get to literally see the guts of a bridge as it’s being built, so we struggled to stay stable in the strong flood current as I took shot after shot. Brian finally figured out the exact location from which the unfinished span was framed perfectly (see photo above).
You’ll notice I’ve referred throughout to “the new Tappan Zee” and “the bridge”. The official name of the bridge, as of late last year, is the “Mario Cuomo bridge”, named after the three-term governor (and the current governor’s father). However, there’s a petition circulating to keep the original name.
As the petitioners explain, it’s nothing against Mario Cuomo, who “may be deserving of having something named after him.” (Don’t you love that “may be”?)
The problem is simply esthetic, petitioners assert. It sounds cool to say, ‘I’m taking the Tappan Zee,” the petition reads. “It does not sound cool to say, ‘I’m taking the Cuomo.”
I have to give them the point—”the Tappan Zee” sounds way cooler. I doubt the petition will succeed, but I’m not sure the official name will stick, either. New Yorkers can be stubborn, and even Google Maps still refers (confusingly to out-of-towners) to the Triboro Bridge rather than its official name of RFK Bridge.
In any event, with my Tiderace now living happily at the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club, I look forward to many more trips to the, ahem, Tappan Zee.
Meantime, here’s a photo of Brian in the sunshine, just to remind everyone that summer will indeed return!
Brian in the sunshine (view looking north)
.
Vladimir Brezina (RIP) 
Johna Till Johnson
Wind Against Current 
Will tolls go up on the Tappan Zee, or have they already gone up?
LikeLike
Now there’s a practical question! As far as I can ascertain, they have not yet gone up–still $4.75 for cars with EZ pass ($5 without).
However there are proposals floating around to double that to pay for the cost of construction. I don’t know the status of those proposals (other than that as far as I can tell, they haven’t yet been implemented).
Also, love that you’re still calling it Tappan Zee :-)
LikeLike
The artist’s rendering shows it to be quite a stylish looking bridge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am actually not so fond of those outward-angled harp legs, but from what I can tell it’s not quite as dramatic in real life as in the drawing. And otherwise it’s indeed quite pretty, agreed… Thanks for posting!
LikeLike
I’m for keeping Tappan Zee!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You, me, and most of the rest of New York… but given who the current governor is, I’m not seeing our wishes getting respected here.
But that’s ok.
The Triboro is still and always the Triboro, as Sixth Ave is always Sixth Ave, and Hell’s Kitchen is Hell’s Kitchen and not Clinton…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gov’ners come & go.
The vox populi remain….
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m surprised there isn’t a band called “the Vox Pop”. Then again, there could be… :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll always want to call it the Tappan Zee. I don’t use it often but when I do it’s fun to say. It’s been interesting to watch it’s construction over the past few years. I haven’t been on the new bridge yet. That’s cool that you got to see it up close!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I may even get to go across it before the month’s end… should be interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was rear-ended on the Tappan Zee a decade ago and my neck has never been the same. Good to have a new bridge and NOT sorry to see the other one gone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh I am so sorry about that, Marilyn. I’m still reserving judgment on the final outcome, but the current shape looks promising…
LikeLike
Johna, we’re the folks behind the petition to add the Tappan Zee name back into the bridge name.We now have more than 105,000 signatures and new ones are added daily, If folks are interested, they can visit our website at http://www.SaveOurTappanZee.org. We’re an apolitical, not-for-profit advocacy group. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SaveOurTappanZ/ and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SaveOurTappanZ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Annette! Not sure how you found the blog but am very happy you did, and happier still that you posted!
LikeLike