Obama Expedites Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement Plan in N.Y.

Replacement work on the Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson River north of New York City could begin as early as next year under a federal program to expedite large infrastructure projects.

President Obama announced Oct. 11 that the Tappan Zee was among three major road and bridge projects nationally that would move forward under an expedited review and approval process the administration created in August to spur job creation.

The 56-year-old bridge carries Interstate 87 and Interstate 287 traffic, stretching three miles across the river to connect Nyack in Rockland County on the west bank, to Tarrytown in Westchester County, on the east bank.

The two other highway projects chosen for the expedited program are: the Whittier Bridge over the Merrimack River on Interstate 95 in Massachusetts and the Provo Westside Connector, a Utah road project that will connect the Provo Airport and Interstate 15.