Posted on 01/09/2019 10:25:55 PM PST by Impala64ssa
It may sound like fireworks, but the reality is that a controlled demolition of the part of the old Tappan Zee Bridge will take place Saturday, Jan. 12. According to a document on the Thruway Authority's website, Tappan Zee Constructors, the company that built the new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, will be taking down the old bridge's damaged east anchor span around 9:30 a.m.
If the weather is bad, the work will be done Sunday, Jan. 13.
Traffic will be stopped on the Thruway (I-287/I-87) approaching the new bridge around 9 a.m. for about 45 minutes between exits 11 (Nyack-South Nyack-US Route 9W) and 9 (Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow-Route 9).
There will also be a temporary closure of the Hudson River main navigation channel.
After the controlled explosion, Tappan Zee Constructors will inspect the roadway before the highway reopens to traffic.
Motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid the area and find alternate routes on the day of the demolition.
Officials said the work is expected to cause a "brief loud noise comparable to a single set of fireworks," People are advised to keep indoors or leased during the operation.
Service on the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line is not expected to be impacted, but a brief delay may occur.
The construction company said that, after the demolition, portions of the old east anchor span will be visible above the water line. Those portions will remain visible as the span is removed from the Hudson River.
Tappan Zee Constructors issued a statement Saturday morning regarding their plans:
"Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) is planning for the limited use of explosives to lower the old Tappan Zee Bridge's east anchor span on Saturday, January 12, weather permitting. Through extensive engineering analysis, it has been determined that this is the safest method to proceed with lowering the span given its current state. TZC has worked with local, state and federal agencies to review the controlled demolition plans and subsequent operations to remove the steel from the Hudson River. Throughout the planning and execution of this operation, the safety of our workers and the traveling public is our top priority."
I was on a Trailways bus crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge one week before this happened.
Reading about that was kinda scary.
The closest I ever came to your experience was a ‘66 Dart with skinny 13” tires on the Williamsburg Bridge in icey conditions... nasty.
I had a 68 Dodge Charger, put new stiffer leaf springs and gas shocks in it. Handled great, but it would still feel like it was gonna get blown off that damn bridge when the winds kicked up.
Way way back in the day I used to commute over that bridge. Until I bought a real car I was using my uncle’s old Subaru Justy. You don’t know exciting until you try to pass someone uphill while on the bridge, only to find out your 2-cylinder junk heap doesn’t have the power to accelerate uphill fast enough to not piss off the semi behind you that you cut off in the attempt.
I thought it was already partially demolished ... at least it looked and felt like it last time I was across.
"...destruction of old Tappan Zee Bridge to commence..."
And his arrogance the gov named the new bridge after his father
Where is the revenue in that? New York had proven, time and time again that the people are nothing more than tax payers.
Fond memories here, too. In the 50s and early 60s, every Thanksgiving and Easter, we would drive down from upstate NY to visit Oma and Opa in Thornwood. I always knew we were getting very close when we crossed the then-new Tappan Zee Bridge. About halfway across, Dad, without fail, would say “Look over there, kids...you can see the Empire State Building” and we would crane our necks to get a glimpse of the famous monument far off in Manhattan. The building was still almost-new having been completed in 1931. The U.S. had the serious, no-nonsense, can-do spirit in those days.
Even as a kid, I thought the common Dutch and Indian names throughout NYS were very intriguing and just oozed adventure and romance. I especially liked “Tappan Zee,” the nice mix of Indian and Dutch. It just rolled off the tongue. I can’t believe that bastard Cuomo is dumping that grand old name.
It seems that everything that was built when I was a little kid is getting torn down and replaced. My old schools, bridges, power plants I started up in the early 70s. Yikes...I must be next.
and then the dang ferners started to arrive ...
Could be worse... The Barrack Hussain Obama Memorial Bridge was surely considered.
Nah, then the environmentalists and greens grabbed the reins. The ferners built much of all those great works.
Aarrgghhh..you are right. You just know that had to be on the short list. Do you think “The Great Cankles Bridge” was considered, too? It’s just a short hop to Chappaqua.
I would consider that. Doesn't "memorial" mean the person is deceased?
Classic Cuomo family business.
This was surpassed by NJ Democrat Brendan Byrne. He asked the members of the NJ Sports and Exhibition Authority, (all of whom he appointed to the paid position) to name a new arena the state had built. They made their decision quickly, but waited a year to announce it, out of embarrassment.
They finally announced that they had chosen "The Brendan Byrne Arena" on the same day they announced that they had also spent $18,000 (tax payer money) on a bust of the governor and another $70,000 on the giant letters spelling out his name, visible for miles to all riders on the NJ Turnpike, Route 3 and other major thoroughfares.
There is a beautiful pedestrian bridge over the Hudson about 50 miles north.
The new bridge is pretty spectacular, despite its name.
Unfortunately however it not only still has tolls, but has them now in both directions.
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