Pieces of the bridge deck from the old Tappan Zee Bridge that spanned the Hudson River from Tarrytown to South Nyack, which was demolished to make way for the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, are being recycled.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that work is getting started on two bridge replacement projects in Upstate New York that will use lengths of the roadway from the bridge. The work is being done by the New York State Department of Transportation. Hochul’s office positions the reuse of parts of the Tappan Zee Bridge as part of the governor’s commitment to utilize all available resources to provide New Yorkers with a transportation network that meets the challenges of the 21st century.
Hochul said. “These bridge projects will provide improved mobility and resiliency for decades to come, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to travel through the Western Southern Tier and enjoy all the region has to offer. And by using recycled components from the Tappan Zee Bridge, we are also saving time and reducing costs.”
Bridge deck panels from the former Tappan Zee Bridge, which was deconstructed in 2017, are being used as part of a $4.8 million project to replace the bridges carrying traffic on State Route 248 over Sugar Creek and Bennetts Creek in the Town of Canisteo in Steuben County. The re-used deck panels will be placed on newly constructed abutments to create new structure that will take the place of the aging Sugar Creek Bridge, which was originally built in 1939. The Bennett’s Creek bridge, which was built in 1974, will also be replaced by a new multi-girder bridge. Both new bridges will utilize weather resistant concrete and other materials to improve resiliency against severe weather. They will also have wider shoulders to better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.
State Route 248 is a main access road for downtown Canisteo.
State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “The Tappan Zee Bridge lives on with new purpose. The Thruway Authority decided years ago to set aside these concrete deck panels so that they could be strategically reused across New York state. This is a great example of government at all levels working together to save taxpayers money and benefit local communities.”
