A Replacement for the Tapan Zee Bridge

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The Park Authority of New York and New Jersey had planed to construct a new bridge across to Hudson because of raising demand in transportation. New York State Governors canceled first proposal for the Tappan Zee Bridge. Some of reasons caused to postpone the date and change the place of the construction. So, the construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge started in 1952.

Tappan Zee Bridge was designed as a cantilever and largest bridge in the United States of New York. The bridge connects South Nyack in Rockland County with Tarrytown in Westchester County in the Lower Hudson Valley. Total length of the bridge is 4881m and also cantilever span, is 369 m, carries seven lanes for vehicles and the center lane, which can be changed between different bounds by movable barrier. The bridge opened to traffic in 1955. New York State Governor signed a bill on 1956.

Engineers involved in this project said that the bridge was built on the cheap in 1950’s. Its cost was less than $81 million because it was applied as a truss design. It is cheaper than arch at its main span that is originally designed. These changes of the design caused to more risk in the infrastructure and weakness of the bridge.

In 2009, Some problems about infrastructure arisen in the United States. It has been called “one of the most decrepit and potentially dangerous bridge”[1] . The engineers reported that the claims about the bridge are true. The bridge did not planed with long-term durability. So, this situation cause new plans to repair bridge or construct a new bridge or tunnel.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority is studying for including the rail line on the replacing bridge or putting the future dates. If it builds, the rail line will connect with the other lin...

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...ect. The goal of the commitment is minimizing discharged of sediment into river, following water quality parameters and reduction of the detrimental effects. Also, actions in the project may affect the various types of fish. Therefore, constructors need to have permitted for in water construction activities in the Hudson River. Construction Company did not have so much information about environmental impact of the construction of the existing bridge. Nevertheless, best management of the water quality minimizes the impacts to Hudson River.

In conclusion, “New York State Thruway Authority wants to provide for efficient, safe quality, timely completion of the construction project to replace Tappan Zee Bridge”[2]. Despite of the many environmental impacts of the project, there are many advantages for the transportation, safety, and welfare of the public.

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