"Potentially Dangerous Situation" on Tappan Zee Delays Opening of the New Cuomo Bridge Ladder



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The opening of the second span of the Mario M. Cuomo bridge on Saturday was delayed after a piece of his predecessor, the old Tappan Zee bridge, parallel to the bridge, was destabilized and threatened to fall , officials said.

The Tappan Zee was being dismantled when the "potentially dangerous situation developed" and part of the old bridge was destabilized, Matthew J. Driscoll, executive director of the New York State said Saturday. Thruway Authority.

Mr. Driscoll stated that the Tappan Zee was being evaluated but the new span of the Mario M. Cuomo bridge would remain closed until the authority was "assured that there is no risk to the new span ".

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Saturday that contractors had discovered on Friday a damaged and rusty part of the old bridge that could pose a potential threat to the new span.

"We want to move traffic as quickly as possible," Cuomo said. "The new bridge is ready."

The problem came a day after Mr. Cuomo and other dignitaries gathered at the new bridge to celebrate the planned opening from the second bay. Cuomo praised the new bridge as a testament to the "greatness of New York" that "shows the world that we can dream big and produce results for the people of this state."

The first part of the new bridge, a $ 4 billion project, opened last year after decades of bickering over repairing the Tappan Zee or building a new bridge.

The westbound span of the bridge carried both eastbound and westbound vehicles. Eastbound traffic was to be moved to the new period after it opened this weekend.

The new bridge, which connects Rockland and Westchester counties, is a two-span guy, with the cables supporting its steel bridges anchored at the top of the bent center towers rather than at the shore.

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