A Bridge That Has Nowhere Left to Go (NY's Tappan Zee Bridge)

NY Times ^ | January 17, 2006 | PATRICK McGEEHAN

[neverdem]

The Tappan Zee Bridge, the most critical transportation link across the Hudson River north of New York City, is not even half as old as the Brooklyn Bridge, but its warranty has already expired.

Started on the cheap during the Korean War, the Tappan Zee was deliberately built to last just 50 years. It passed that milestone last month, just days after transportation planners began gathering public advice about how to fix or replace it.

But the decaying, overburdened span's anniversary was more bitter than sweet. Little love has been lost between the Tappan Zee and the tens of thousands of commuters who depend on it. They complain about the poor condition of its roadway and the backups caused by every breakdown and flat tire.

Even before it was built, the bridge's own designers said it would be one of the "ugliest" in the region. Half a century later, the Tappan Zee has not aged gracefully. There are cracks in its concrete columns, its superstructure is rusting away and its deck is nearly worn through.

The New York State Thruway Authority, which owns the 3.1-mile-long bridge carrying the Thruway over the Hudson, has said that the deck, some structural steel, the concrete walkway and electrical systems have "deteriorated significantly." The authority plans to spend more than $100 million next year just to patch the bridge's holes and replace some of its corroded steel, a process sure to make travel even slower for commuters.

Catching daily glimpses of the long cracks in the bridge's superstructure frightens Brett Ruskin, who drives from his home in Monsey across the Tappan Zee to Tarrytown, where he catches a Metro-North train to Grand Central Terminal. "My biggest concern is not so much the traffic, because the big problem with the Tappan Zee Bridge is it's..."

[RedCell]

the reason they don't build a new one is because of the NIMBYs on either side who don't want it. they block it, and tie it up in the courts with environmental impact studies - while the current bridge decays.

Being from CT, when I have to drive to points south I usually take the TZ over to either the Palisades or Garden State. I just started to notice some of the rather large homes going up on the west side just south of the bridge so I can only imagine they've got their lawyers all tee'd up for a fight.

Anyway, it's so nice to know I could wind up swimming my way across one of these trips. Maybe Uncle Teddy could give some seminars on how to survive that. Cheers!

[durasell]

Yes, and I'm sure you enjoyed 360 degree view of the Statue of Liberty you were privileged to see in your travels to the airport.

[brainstem223]

Spending $100 million to patch up something thats falling apart?

Breathtaking ignorance even for new york!

[oceanview]

if it collapses, hundreds of people will die.

[durasell]

In the grand scheme of things in NYC, $100 million isn't all that much.

[writer33]

Talk about a Bridge Over Troubled Water. This takes the cake. :)

[Alberta's Child]

Replacing the bridge is likely to cost somewhere north of $4 billion, so $100 million -- at 1/40th of its replacement cost -- isn't such a big deal.

[durasell]

This is the way the story ends: after much hand wringing and debate along with various and sundry accusations, the bridge gets fixed at great expense and cost over-runs. Several contractors, sub-contractors and various consultants get to send their kids to Ivy League schools, their wives to Paris, and their mistresses to Tiffany's.

[Roccus]

Most of the bridges within NYC are toll-free, at least they were the last time I was there, 2004. All the East and Harlem River bridges, about ten or more, are toll free. Not to mention all the small bridges over various waterways that wend through B'klyn, Queens and the Bronx. Verazano, Whitestone, Throggs Neck, Tri-Borough, Vets Mem. and Gil Hodges are toll. Bridges that go from the city to NJ...Goethals, Outerbridge Crossing and George Washington are toll.

[dr_lew]

Reason #1317 why I am not in charge of anything:

Declare it unsafe and close it!

[writer33]

Several contractors, sub-contractors and various consultants get to send their kids to Ivy League schools, their wives to Paris, and their mistresses to Tiffany's.

No, kidding. Bid that prevailing wage. $30/hour to lift that shovel.

:) HA!

[neverdem]

Last toll I paid on a NYC bridge was $10, this to drive half a mile.

No way. MTA Bridges and Tunnels New Toll Rates

http://www.panynj.gov/tbt/TOLL_RATES.pdf

[Alberta's Child]

Here's an interesting little bit of trivia about that bridge.

If you look at the aerial photo in the first post, you'll notice the bridge has an odd S-shaped horizontal alignment. Anyone who knows the geography of that area might also wonder why the bridge was built across the widest point along the Hudson River (the term "Zee" is Dutch for "sea"). The bridge was built at that location because it is just outside the northern boundary of the official Port Authority of New York and New Jersey region (roughly defined as a region within a 25-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty) -- so the New York Thruway Authority didn't have the legal authority to collect tolls on a bridge that was constructed any further to the south.

[durasell]

Oh, no, no, no, no...you have a lot to learn about NYC construction. The bridge has to be repaired at night when traffic is light. That $60 an hour (minimum). But that's not where the real money is -- the real money is in all the subcontracting and consulting work.

[Diddle E. Squat]

There are cracks in its concrete columns, its superstructure is rusting away and its deck is nearly worn through.

Drivers better be prepared to Tappan Zee brakes...

[Alberta's Child]

New York ping.

[Roccus]

That 2027 number includes all overpasses of roadways, railroads etc. I believe it may also include all pedestrian overpasses.
You know, it's funny, they call Pittsburgh the "City of Bridges" but it doesn't come close to Fun City in volume.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the pic!

[Roccus]

Also, that very long stretch to the west of the span is over some very shallow water. I found that out the hard way in one of my boats! There is a reason they make charts. {:^(

[Roccus]

This is not a NYC bridge!