Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement Project

1. Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement Project Why Transit Must Be Included from the Start

2. The Bridge • Opened in 1955 • Daily traffic 1955: 18,000 vehicles/day • Daily traffic today: 140,000 vehicles/day

3. The Problem Structural issues requiring constant maintenance Severe congestion on the Bridge and throughout the I-287 Corridor

4. The Original Plan • Introduced in 2000 • Decade of public meetings and studies • General consensus: • Bridge should be replaced • Bus rapid transit (BRT) and commuter rail transit (CRT) should be installed on the Bridge and throughout the I-287 Corridor • Estimated cost of Bridge with full BRT – $5.2 Billion • Estimated cost of fully implementing BRT throughout the I-287 Corridor – as little as $900 million more

5. The Governor’s New Plan • Governor Cuomo introduced in Oct. 2011, reversing years of public process and consensus • Details • Replace Bridge • No public transportation • Cost : $5.2 Billion • Fails to deal with current and future traffic problems

6. The Solution Replace Bridge and install BRT throughout the I-287 Corridor

7. What is BRT? “A rapid mode of transportation that can provide the quality of rail transit and the flexibility of buses.” -- Federal Transit Administration

8. Characteristics of BRT • Congestion-free routes for buses • High quality stations with amenities • Pre-boarding fare collection speeds boarding process • Real-time information for passengers and bus priority at signals • Frequent Service • Modern Buses

9. Congestion Free Routes & Frequent Service

10. High Quality Stations & Modern Buses

11. Pre-board Fare Collection

12. Real-time bus arrival information

13. Why BRT? • Congestion Relief • Catalyze transit-oriented development • Maximize public investment • Improve transit options • It’s what the public wants

14. Full Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Express buses would operate on carpool lanes from Suffern to Tarrytown, and on dedicated busways from Tarrytown to Port Chester. Buses would connect to the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Metro-North Lines.

15. Catalyze development • Potential for development near stations.

16. Maximize Public Investment • Relatively inexpensive ($5 to $6.5 billion, w/ T-Z replacement) and quicker to build than other transit options.

17. Maximize Public Investment • Potential for more, smaller stations and finely-tuned routes.

18. Improve transit options • BRT offers potential for more one-seat rides to employment centers in biggest T-Z commute market – buses can run on and off main corridor.

19. Improve transit options BRT can offer one-seat rides by combining mainline and feeder functions in one vehicle.

20. Public Process Started in 2000 280 public meetings Many comprehensive studies Conclusion: public transportation must be included in the project

21. Public Process Detoured Despite consensus that public transportation is necessary, Gov. Cuomo abruptly short-circuited the process in October.

22. Why Should New York State Invest in Transit for the Tappan Zee? • Transit promotes the State and the region’s economic aims • Including transit is the only way to achieve the project’s transport objectives • Transit supports the State’s environmental goals • Investing in Bus Rapid Transit will attract enough riders to keep future operating costs within reason

23. Building a Better Future What can you do? Call your local elected officials and the Governor’s office and tell them to include BRT. Visit www.brtonthebridge.org and learn more.