Issues regarding funding and bridge-borne public transportation held the floor at a discussion of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 corridor last week in White Plains.
The event, sponsored by the Business Journal, featured nine participants from various fields and touched on various aspects of the project.
Attendees included: Marsha Gordon, president, The Business Council of Westchester, co-chair, Tappan Zee Bridge/I287 Futures Task Force; Robert Weinberg, partner and president, Robert Martin Co.;
Ellen Lynch, president and CEO of the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency; Maureen Morgan, board member and past president, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County; Mary Ann Crotty, director of transportation, Pattern for Progress; P. Gilbert Mercurio, CEO of the Westchester County Board of Realtors; Ross J. Pepe, president, Construction Industry Council and Building Contractors Association; John McCarthy, principal, McCarthy Associates; and Robert J. Goldstein, general counsel/director of enforcement programs, Riverkeeper Inc.
Part of the discussion centered on pragmatic ways to fund a seemingly “unfundable” project.
Estimates for a new bridge and some type of rapid transit component range from $12 billion to $15 billion.
State officials have said that federal funding will be a necessity in finding money for the project.
Crotty believed the project was one of “national significance,” given the corridor provides access to New England from New Jersey and points west of the Hudson River.
If the federal government would consider the project of national significance, greater federal funds would become available, she said.
“I think this matches up very well with other national projects,” she said.
Weinberg disagreed, saying the federal government would likely not view the project in that grandiose light.
“This is a local project,” he said. “We could get some federal funding to replace the bridge, but not for a commuter rail.”
Gordon added that state Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid Glynn, in a recent meeting, agreed the project is of national significance.
The idea of private ownership of the bridge was a hotly debated topic. Most agreed the private sector would not entirely take over a project such as the Tappan Zee Bridge, since it would not be a money maker in the long run.
“There needs to be some sort of public-private partnership,” said Morgan.
Pepe said there has been discussion in Albany for a public-private solution.
“Nothing has happened yet, but they are aware of it,” he said.
The stagnant nature of the project and its slow-moving process was noted much during the roundtable.
“(Former Governor) Malcolm Wilson was talking about this 30 years ago,” said McCarthy. “Who”™s going to spearhead this?”
Pepe noted that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey should be brought in to help move the project forward, noting its history of making big projects happen.
As an example, he cited the Port Authority”™s recent takeover of Stewart International Airport in Orange County.
“We need the Port Authority to do this,” he said.
Most believed the supposed national recession the economy is experiencing would not affect funding for the project, as construction likely would not begin for several years.
“We”™ll be in a different part of the economy when we start building this,” Lynch said.
The question of whether a commuter rail or Bus Rapid Transit option would be more effective was discussed.
The DOT will announce in May its preferred option to move forward.
While many at the roundtable discussion believed rail is the optimum transit option, questions remain about whether it can be funded.
“We need a rail line in there for the backbone,” said Mercurio.
The effectiveness of the state to tackle a project of this magnitude was another topic brought up.
“I”™m skeptical of (the state”™s) ability to do this,” said Goldstein. “There”™s a limited pot of federal money. How are we going to fund this?”
One thing every panelist agreed upon was the need for the region to come together and demand the best transit and bridge option.
“The Hudson Valley is not good at coming together and demanding things,” said Morgan. “The apathy in this area is beyond comprehension.”
