The New York Building Congress supports the findings of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Tappan Zee Bridge. We believe the DEIS effectively summarizes the critical condition of the existing span and presents a recommended alternative that will improve travel conditions and provide opportunities for adding mass transportation when funding becomes available.
The Building Congress is a membership organization comprised of leaders in the design, real estate, and construction industry. One of our core objectives is to encourage infrastructure investment and economic development.
The most important conclusion of the DEIS is the determination of need for a new bridge. Traffic flows coming from counties west of the Hudson River have increased many-fold since the original Tappan Zee Bridge opened in the 1950s. Traffic volume far exceeds capacity and traffic jams are a daily occurrence. The resulting delays have a significant impact on our economy.
To remain a leader, the State of New York must provide new capacity for commuters to get to and from work. The DEIS outlines a new bridge design that will accommodate added volume and increase reliability, conditions that are essential to supporting a strong economy.
The project offers direct economic benefits as well. The projected cost of a new bridge is estimated to be $5.2 billion. This will create thousands of jobs in the design and construction industry, which was hard hit during the economic slowdown.
While funding for the project is not fully secured, the State is rising to the challenge of assembling financing, including seeking support from the innovative federal TIFIA loan program and negotiating with pension funds.
The Building Congress has long urged increased levels of investment in the State's deteriorating transportation system. The Comptroller recently identified an $80 billion funding gap over 20 years just to meet a state of good repair for public facilities. The State's willingness to think creatively to solve the growing infrastructure funding gap should be applauded.
The Building Congress urges the State to move quickly to begin construction. New York has studied options for replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge for over a decade. We must take action before a crisis occurs.The Building Congress is concerned that arguments for including a mass transportation option within the current project could halt the project altogether. As an alternative, the State has offered a credible plan for adding mass transit in the future, when funds are available.
Engineering a major transportation facility for additional future capacity is not unprecedented. When the George Washington Bridge was opened to the public, there was a single deck. Fortunately, the Port Authority had planned for future growth. As capacity grew, a second level was constructed thirty years after the bridge was first opened, increasing capacity by some 75 percent.
The State should take the same prudent approach with a new Tappan Zee Bridge.
In conclusion, we believe the DEIS provides a firm foundation for the State to complete design and begin construction of a new Tappan Zee Bridge as soon as possible. We applaud the Governor and his staff for their efforts to strengthen our infrastructure and our economy. New York must not miss this historic opportunity.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify.
