Arguably the most prominent transportation issue in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley during the first part of 2007 has been what to do with the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Most observers agree that a new bridge and some sort of transit system are needed across the Interstate 287 corridor.
But there has been sharp debate between those who favor a bus rapid transit (BRT) system and a mass transit system featuring a commuter rail line.
After what many perceived as inaction on the part of the Tappan Zee Bridge project team, Gov. Eliot Spitzer in May asked the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to head the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project, which was previously directed by the state Thruway Authority.
Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano and Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef earlier this year sent a joint letter to the governor expressing frustration at the progress of the project and asking him to get involved.
Spitzer announced that Timothy Gilchrist, his deputy secretary for transportation and infrastructure, will lead the overall project. DOT Commissioner Astrid Glynn will also be closely involved with the Tappan Zee Bridge study.
The project team initially outlined six possible options for the future of the corridor during a media briefing in February. They ranged from a mass transit system complete with commuter rail and new bridge, a bus rapid transit system and a new bridge, to not having a new bridge at all.
More recently, there was a BRT symposium in June, where planning and transportation experts came to Westchester to advocate for the BRT option. The event was sponsored by the Tri-State Transportation Council.
The Business Council of Westchester and Pattern For Progress, among other regional organizations, are in favor of including commuter rail in the project.
