Tappan Zee Bridge: Last Span Coming Down: UPDATE

TARRYTOWN, NY — Be prepared to say goodbye to what's left of the old Tappan Zee Bridge. The last section — the part nearer to the Rockland side of the Hudson River — is being lower Friday morning onto a barge on the river.

Officials said the 600-foot long, 11-million-pound western span was being lowered while a boat with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, reporters and others cruised by Friday morning. The lowering of the span will continue through Friday, weather permitting, and will resume Saturday.

After it is completely lowered, it will put on a receiving barge and taken a mile or so down river to be dismantled piece by piece for salvage.

The western span, as well as the eastern span, is owned by Tappan Zee Constructors.

Cuomo called the lowering of the western span "the final milestone" of what he said was the largest infrastructure project in the United States when discussions first began to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge in 1999.

"It was the project that could never happen," he said because of the perception that there were too many obstacles.

Cuomo said the bridge was completed on time in four years and under budget at $3.98 billion.

"This bridge, to me, is a testament to our capacity," he said. "It would make my father very proud."

Once the spans are removed and relocated the area will have the first unobstructed view of the new bridge.

The eastern anchor span of the old TZB was brought down Jan. 15 shortly before 11 a.m. by a controlled explosion. The structure was determined to be unstable the same day both spans of the new Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge were opened to traffic.

The new bridge was designed and built by Tappan Zee Constructors.

This is a developing story so check with Patch for updates.

SEE ALSO: Tappan Zee Bridge Span Comes Down With Controlled Explosion

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