Tappan Zee Politics As Usual

Many have repeatedly called for a new Tappan Zee Bridge to be built, replacing the existing one. Proponents use the Chicken Little mantra of, “The bridge is falling, the bridge is falling!” And while the bridge certainly needs repairs and maintenance, it getting replaced anytime soon is probably a fantasy on their part. I agree that something needs to be done but am not convinced based on the latest public information session in Tarrytown that we are getting the best solutions.

President Obama made it easier for our cash strapped state by saying the feds would ease federal regulations to expedite the building of the bridge. That’s all well and good if he were paying for it. But guess what? We’re going to pay for it. And pay handsomely I might add. Now that Governor/Presidential candidate Cuomo has entered the fray, saying there will be no mass transit component, it seems that we will be lucky to simply replace what’s already there. I can almost live with that.

While I don’t have that much of an issue trying to incorporate a mass transit element into the project, the lack of coordination with the communities, state and federal governments is disturbing. I’ve always maintained that at the least we should repair the bridge. Given the clamor for mass transit, I feel we’re being shortchanged with the bus system solution. Having a bus system that goes from Suffern to Port Chester may be nice to have but no one has presented a comprehensive plan as to why we need that. Oh sure, the proponents say it will relieve traffic. Prove it - I'm not convinced. Everything they say is based on a supposed increase in traffic. But that also ties in with an increase in residences. What if we stopped developing every bit of green and open space we have? If we don’t build more homes and preserve our green space, maybe our traffic woes won’t be as bad the doomsayers are predicting.

They say more people will take advantage of the mass transit option, keeping cars off the road. If most of those people can still afford to pay the taxes to live here, they’ll have to take the bus because they won’t be able to afford to own a car. With the President’s lack of an energy policy for America seemingly to be “pay more at the pumps”, many won’t be able to afford a car (or two) or afford the gas. What makes you think you’ll be able to afford the toll on the Tappan Zee Bridge? Almost all mass transit/public transportation is a money loser. It’s why the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) raises its fairs every year. In Rob Astorino’s first budget, he cut the Express Bus service to NYC. If we can’t sustain a known bus route system that is working, is this the model we want to follow? I don’t think so.

The bus system will have a bus running every five minutes. That’s an incredible number of buses. What happens when the powers that be realize that no one is riding the 12:30 AM bus with regularity? They’ll probably have to cancel it because they cannot afford to run an empty bus. It’s exactly the reason the Express Bus to NYC works. There are more during rush hour and fewer during the other times. Every five minutes may be unrealistic even though it sounds necessary. But regardless how many are running, they are cumbersome to turn, slow in traffic (even slowing it), additional pollutants and finally, adding to the already existing heavy traffic which we all suffer from.

The bus pick-up and drop-off points have been mapped out along Rt 119. But parking spaces for your car so you can take the buses do not exist. In Tarrytown and Elmsford, they will be using eminent domain to acquire the property they desire for the bus route lanes. Is this what most people want? I haven’t heard from anyone who liked that idea once they were told about it. The idea of a monorail system, while more environmentally viable would allow cars smaller than train cars & more customizable to ridership. Regardless it doesn’t provide an answer to the question, will it be profitable? ABG doesn’t believe any solution will break-even, let alone be profitable based on the past performance of mass transit.

But until funding for any of this can be offered and the public buys into it, lets draw up plans that will allow a bridge that can handle some growth in the future for automotive traffic and even a public transportation option. The proponents of existing plans haven’ received some resistance or opposition. The dog and pony shows the Tappan Zee Bridge group puts forth is never held at a convenient time for more public participation. Until they change their way of operating, we’ll never have the best ideas or the best plan for the future.