Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Andrew Cuomo

Cuomo Deal Could Clear the Way for a Transit-Oriented Tappan Zee

Regrettably, this was an April Fool's Day post. It should be noted that Streetsblog's prior April Fool's Day stories have a way of coming true, at least in part.

A little-noticed piece of legislation, passed along with Albany's budget deal at the Cuomo administration's request, seems to open the door to building a Tappan Zee Bridge in line with the transit-oriented vision that came out of ten years of public planning.

The legislation enables Westchester and Rockland counties to establish special tax districts for the purposes of funding bus and rail lines on the I-87/I-287 corridor and on the bridge itself, according to sources familiar with the arrangement. The financing mechanism resembles the method New York City is using to build the 7 Line subway extension. Under the deal passed by Albany, the new tax districts will take effect if both counties rezone areas near future transit stations to allow for walkable, mixed-use development.

Previously the Cuomo administration had taken an aggressive stance against building transit on the new bridge and funding the rest of the bus and rail corridors. At one point a Cuomo spokesperson insisted that the state would not build transit on the Tappan Zee unless the counties picked up the tab. The deal is seen as giving the governor's office a gracious way to shift its policy on the Tappan Zee replacement, following the widespread public outcry over its abandonment of transit.

Sources familiar with the legislation say the administration opted for the new approach after taking a hard look at the disastrous long-term financial consequences of building an extravagantly wide replacement bridge without any provision for transit. While no official announcement has been made, Cuomo is expected to interrupt the current project process -- a final RFP was issued last month -- and start over.

A high-level official participating in the negotiations said that after the administration cut off a decade of public planning that envisioned transit on the bridge, scrapping the last few months of brazen disregard for the region's long-term future was "no big deal."

Streetsblog will have more on this story tomorrow (Monday, April 2).

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Money for Something: Funding OK’d, But Details Missing For ‘Dept. Of Sustainable Delivery’

The mayor got the Council to sign off on $6.1 million for the long-awaited “Department of Sustainable Delivery." But what's it mean? No one is talking.

July 1, 2025

Incoming Albany Mayor Could Help Safe Streets Movement Statewide

The state capital is built for the car and that is how it is experienced by our lawmakers. But could that change under a new mayor? Here's hoping.

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Another Child Sacrificed to the SUV Edition

Stop de kindermoord! An 8-year-old boy killed by an SUV driver is the latest victim of America's obsession with big cars. Plus other news.

July 1, 2025

DOT Testimony: Removing Bedford Ave. Bike Lane Will ‘Reduce Safety’

"Removing the protected bike lane won’t remove cyclists — it will only make the street less safe," the DOT said. "The city risks legal liability for knowingly reducing safety on a Vision Zero priority corridor."

June 30, 2025

Hochul Signs Speed Camera Reauthorization, Enforcement Continues Through 2030

Stating a clear fact that scores of state legislators reject, Hochul said, "Speed cameras save lives and keep New Yorkers safe."

June 30, 2025

Cyclists Tell Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo: The Bedford Ave. Bike Lane is a Lifesaver

A judge will decide the fate of the Bedford Avenue bike lane on Tuesday. Streetsblog offers some user affidavits.

June 30, 2025
See all posts