Press Release
For Immediate Release: Monday, November 2, 2009
Contact: Charles Carrier
New York State Department of Transportation
518-457-6400
PUBLIC MEETINGS SET ON TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE/I-287 CORRIDOR PROJECT
Five Community Sessions Scheduled to
Update Local Residents and Businesses on Plans
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee, New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael Fleischer and Metro-North Railroad (MTA) President Howard Permut today announced that Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project staff will hold a series of five public meetings from November 10 through December 9, 2009 to update community residents about proposed project plans.
NYSDOT heads the three-agency team that last fall recommended a complete replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge in the lower Hudson Valley and the development of bus rapid transit and commuter rail systems along the 30-mile, I-287 corridor from Suffern in Rockland County to Port Chester in Westchester County. The New York State Thruway Authority and Metro-North Railroad, a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, are partners in the project. The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration are cooperating with the state on the development of the proposed project’s environmental impact statement.
The Project Team earlier this year concluded the scoping phase of the study, which involved developing and evaluating project proposals and factoring in community comments and concerns. Since then, the team has met with municipal leaders and planning officials to share details and obtain their input on the bridge configuration and transit alignment options associated with the project alternatives being considered.
“The Tappan-Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project team has been working hard to develop further project plans, refine its analysis and describe local community options,” NYSDOT Acting Commissioner Gee said. “Through a series of meetings since last spring, we have heard from local elected officials. The upcoming public meetings will help us inform local residents about project developments and get their comments, which are critical to ensuring that this project meets local and regional needs.”
Thruway Authority Executive Director Fleischer said, “Throughout the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review process, the public’s continued participation has been critical to the development of the right transportation solutions for the Corridor. Not only will the public be provided with an overview of the work that has been taking place over the past several months, but the community sessions will provide opportunities for the public to speak with the Project Team, ask questions and share their views about various bridge configurations and transit options under consideration.”
Metro-North President Permut said, “We welcome public input as part of planning a project of this magnitude. A 30-mile transit corridor and a new bridge over the Hudson River will have profound impacts on the region for years to come. That’s why we hope these five meetings will be well attended.”
The public meetings will provide opportunities for the public to discuss with the project team their concerns about various transit alignment options, bridge configuration options and other issues. Each session will be tailored to the community where it’s being held. The meeting schedule follows:
Ramapo
Tuesday, November 10, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Spring Valley High School Cafeteria
361 Route 59
Spring Valley, NY 10977Clarkstown
Thursday, November 12, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Palisades Center, Adler Community Room
1000 Palisades Center Drive
West Nyack, NY 10994Orangetown
Wednesday, November 18, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Nyack High School Cafeteria
360 Christian Herald Road
Upper Nyack, NY 10989Greenburgh or White Plains
Tuesday, December 1, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Greenburgh Library, Multipurpose Room
300 Tarrytown Road
Elmsford, NY 10523White Plains, Harrison, or Rye
Wednesday, December 9, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Port Chester Senior Community Center
222 Grace Church Street
Port Chester, NY 10573
For more information on these meetings or for special accommodation, call the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project office at 914-358-0600 or e-mail tzbsite@dot.state.ny.us. Visit www.tzbsite.com for more information on the project.
See the Community Meetings Workshop pages for schedules and directions.