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TZB Is #1! (But Not In A Good Way)

December 2, 2009 by at 2 Comments

AAA New York has published a Bridges To Watch list based on structural examinations from traffic safety experts. The Tappan Zee edges out the Kosciuszko and the Goethals bridge as one of “three worst bridges” in the NY Metro area.

“[The] Tappan Zee tops the list due to its very poor physical condition and lack of shoulders. Made of substandard steel during the Korean War. Approaches built on piles made of wood that are constantly eroding,” says AAA Car and Travel magazine.

AAA New York’s Robert Sinclair Jr. told MyFoxNY.com that the TZB “is the worst of the worst” handling far more traffic than designers intended. He says the substandard steel combined with the wooden footings compromise safety.

Today’s bridge traffic of 140,000-170,000 vehicles a day is almost ten times the load of the 18,000 vehicles that crossed the bridge when it first opened, according to the NYS Thruway. Transportation officials have proposed building a new TZB which would include major mass transit improvements in the I-287 corridor connecting Rockland and Westchester counties.

Sources: AAA Car and Travel,  MyFoxNY.com, NYS Thruway
Photo Credit: Nyack Snap blog

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Comments

  1. Richard Kavesh says:
    December 3, 2009 at 5:34 am

    A truly frightening clip, something right out of “2012.”

    We were told by the Thruway a few weeks ago that a new bridge would have a lifespan of at least 100 years. Unfortunately, there’s not a penny in the stimulus package (or as yet allocated at the state level) for the new bridge.

    Stimulus package sets aside $144 billion for infrastructure projects. AGC says stimulus-funded projects should bolster construction spending.
    By Tom Stundza — Purchasing, 2/19/2009 11:42:00 AM

    The $787 billion economic stimulus package, formally the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will dedicate almost $144 billion for construction projects to be started no later than Sept. 30, 2010, according to a review of the law by Ken Simonson, chief economist of the Associated General Contractors of America in Arlington, Va.

    Simonson says that transportation projects will get $49 billion–$28 billion for highways; $18 billion for rail and other transit, $2 billion airports)–while $21 billion will go into water and environment projects, $38 billion for private, government and school buildings, and $30 billion in energy and technology projects ranging from alternative energy and weatherization to “smart grid” and wireless/ broadband projects.

    The AGC has posted detailed information about amounts, distribution formulas and timetables, state-by-state allocations where available, and limitations at http://www.agc.org/stimulus. In addition, Simonson believes that “numerous tax provisions should add to demand for construction activity,” such bonds to be used for renewable energy, energy conservation; and modified renewable energy and conservation credits.

    However, the stimulus money may not fully offset cuts in state construction budgets. “At least 46 states faced or are facing shortfalls in their budgets for this and/or next year, and severe fiscal problems are highly likely to continue into the following year as well,” according to a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington.

  2. JCarson says:
    December 2, 2009 at 7:47 am

    In case you never saw the History Channel’s “Crumbling of America” and the collapse of the TZ Bridge it looks like it may be re-aired on Sat Dec 12th at 5pm. It’s scary!

    http://www.history.com/shows.do?episodeId=452430&action=detail

    Editor’s note: There’s a funny write-up of this clip at MidSeasonReplacements.com.

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