A key ramp to merge on to the Tappan Zee Bridge closed this month, kicking off a new phase of construction on the New NY Bridge project.
Community members have seen limited impact on traffic, noise and sales volume since construction began in October. But as the construction process ramps up over the next four years, many are hoping for the best.
No major traffic issues were cited within the first two days of the ramp closure from southbound Route 9 onto Interstate 287 in Tarrytown. But many residents are anxious after the heavy traffic delays in December when the ramp initially closed.
“Traffic was backed up in every direction for miles,” said Richard Friedman, general manager of Tarrytown”™s DoubleTree by Hilton. “It was a zoo. If that was going to happen every day, it”™d be unbearable.”
Friedman likened the traffic jam to that of the George Washington “Bridgegate” scandal, saying he wouldn”™t be surprised if another jam occurred.
Officials at the New York State Thruway Authority contend the ramp closure will not have a significant impact on traffic and that the delays in December were caused by a combination of events. There were multiple accidents, a car fire, snowy weather and emergency repairs on the George Washington Bridge, which diverted traffic to the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Regardless, the ramp will now be closed until 2018 in an effort to reduce congestion on local roadways. It will be used for construction access, staging and equipment storage. Drivers who wish to use the ramp, known as Ramp E, will be directed to a Route 119 “jug handle” immediately after the ramp for a different entrance onto the bridge.
The jug handle has been used several times before, but Randy Ward, an attendant at the Shell gas station on the corner of Route 9 and Route 119, said he believes traffic cops will be necessary on the corner.
The first two days of the ramp closure, Ward said he had at least 20 customers ask for directions onto the bridge. The traffic light at the corner of the jug handle doesn”™t allow for left turns onto Route 119. And for confused drivers, Ward predicts a lot of unnecessary traffic tickets. A police station is also on the corner.
“Traffic is going to be crazy when they really get going with construction,” said Ward, who”™s worked at the gas station for five years. “We need flaggers (traffic facilitators) here 24/7. It”™s going to cause havoc.”
Limited impact felt;Â optimism remains
In recent days the focus has been on traffic. However, the business community says it remains optimistic about the overall economic impact of the $3.9 billion construction project.
Over the entire construction period, economists predict roughly $5.6 billion will be spent in goods and services, supporting an average of 7,728 unique, full-time jobs every year.
The project isn”™t just a boon for the construction industry. Those in retail, leisure and hospitality also hope to benefit from a higher volume of potential customers.
“We”™re all expecting a much more noticeable increase,” said John Sardy, executive director of the Greater Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce. “Every time I go into a different store I see some sort of bridge worker.”
Officials at the Thruway Authority have dispelled local reports that a boat was bringing construction workers on the Westchester side of the Hudson River to Nyack for lunch. However, Sardy said he still believes more could be done to transport bridge workers into downtown Tarrytown. He has suggested a trolley run along the riverbank into the business centers of Irvington, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.
For the last several years, Tarrytown has been on a steady incline in terms of business and real estate, Sardy said. The bridge construction and the new bridge itself will add to that.
“Be envious of Tarrytown,” Sardy said. “The bridge will give it another attraction ”¦ When the bridge is complete, businesses will benefit. It”™s going to be a new landmark.”
Friedman from the DoubleTree said he hasn”™t seen a noticeable increase in reservations due to construction. However, he said he”™s optimistic stays will increase as the construction process speeds up and more engineers and planners need a place to stay.
Friedman said he doesn”™t expect many of the 13,000 construction workers over the five-year period to stay at the DoubleTree. Most likely, they live within driving distance or will find rental properties, he said. Instead, the DoubleTree could benefit from those earning higher wages, like the 1,970 management positions the project is estimated to support.
“It”™s too early to say what the impact will be,” Friedman said. “But we hope it will be good.”
