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Overview

The Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review is being conducted in accordance with all applicable federal and state requirements, including the

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (This is an external link and will open in a new browser window)
  
• State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) (This is an external link and will open in a new browser window)

The study process includes:

Alternatives Analysis (AA): The Alternatives Analysis, completed in January 2006, identified more than 150 suggestions on how to improve conditions in the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor. After further investigation, those 150 suggestions were combined into 16 different scenarios that were analyzed for their environmental impact, constructability, cost and ability to improve mobility in the I-287 Corridor. The six alternatives that remained at the end of that screening process are detailed in the Alternatives Analysis report.

Scoping: The scoping process began on December 23, 2002 with the publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI). Scoping meetings were held and the information that was gathered was utilized to develop potential alternatives and identify potential impacts. While the project activities advanced, SAFETEA-LU was signed into law on August 10, 2005, refining the environmental review process under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and increasing the opportunities for public involvement. In response, a revised NOI was issued in February 2008, commencing the Scoping Update process. This process provided additional opportunity for public comment on the Scoping Update Packet, Purpose and Need, Range of Alternatives, and the Coordination Plan as required by SAFETEA-LU. Three Scoping Update Meetings were held in Westchester, Rockland and Orange Counties in February 2008. It is anticipated that the Scoping Process will be concluded at the end of the year with the publication of the Scoping Summary Report, which will identify potential alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS and respond to public comments.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): The Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review will be conducted as a two-tiered process. An initial EIS will evaluate plans for improving the I-287 corridor (including the Tappan Zee Bridge) and assess transit options for the corridor, and identify a transit mode for the corridor, its general route and its termini. A second EIS will focus on the details of integrating that transit mode into the communities it will serve, including route specifics and transit station locations and designs. A final decision on the first EIS document will initiate work on the second.

The project solicited comments, through March 31, 2008, as part of our scoping update process. Comments will be addressed in the Scoping Summary Report to be issued this fall.  Also this fall, we expect to select a transit mode(s), whether commuter rail, bus rapid transit, light rail, or a combination. The transit mode(s) selection will determine which alternatives undergo a rigorous and comprehensive analysis as part of the DEIS.

Your feedback on the environmental review process is welcomed. The Project Team looks forward to meeting with you throughout this phase.

Look Ahead:

• Seek input from the public
• Develop detailed contents of the DEIS
• Prepare and circulate DEIS for comment
• Public hearings on DEIS
• Prepare Final Impact Statement (FEIS)
• Issue a Record of Decision (ROD)

Each step in the EIS process includes efforts and activities to gain public input. Learn how to:

• Participate in the study