Traffic & Transit
Not So Fast: Tappan Zee Bridge Still Being Dismantled
(With apologies to Mark Twain) reports that it's all over for the Tappan Zee Bridge have been greatly exaggerated. Here's what's next.
NYACK, NY — It's too soon to say goodbye. After yesterday's controlled demolition of the east anchor span of the Tappan Zee Bridge, many media outlets jumped the gun and bid the old bridge adieu.
Not so fast. A careful look at yesterday's broadcasts, live-streams and photos would have made it clear that the west anchor span is still standing. Don't believe us? See a screenshot from the New NY Bridge project's webcam photo as of 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, above.
Tuesday's demolition was seen by hundreds of people on both sides of the Hudson River and many thousands watching online or on TV.
Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
What I've lost in physical footprint, I've gained in virtual stature. So there's that.
— Tappan Zee Bridge (@oldtzb) January 16, 2019
Tuesday's controlled demolition lowered the fourth section of the retired bridge's center span. The first of five massive main span sections of steel to be removed was taken down in May 2018.
The fifth, the west anchor span, will be lowered onto barges with the assistance of strand jacks. The project’s floating super crane, dubbed I Lift NY, will assist with the removal of steel substructures.
Find out what's happening in Nyack-Piermontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The date for that operation will be announced later this year, Laura Ware, spokeswoman for Tappan Zee Constructors, told Patch on Wednesday.
The east anchor span was 672 feet long and weighed 6,500 tons. It stood 140 feet above the Hudson River.
Tuesday's operation involved charges on each of its four vertical supports, carefully placed to allow the demolition team to safely lower the span eastward, away from the main navigation channel, using specialty marine salvage equipment.
Next, marine salvage experts will remove the material from the river, an operation expected to take several weeks. The steel will be recovered with the assistance of chains previously laid on the riverbed that support the salvaged structure in the river, enabling TZC to place the material on barges for removal from the project site.
Much of the salvaged bridge is being used for other construction projects including artificial reefs.
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