Tappan Zee Bridge replacement designs unveiled - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

The New York State Thruway Authority has released renderings of three design concepts for the bridge that would replace the aging Tappan Zee Bridge.

The three designs are all a noticeable departure from the look of the current bridge, which carries I-87/I-287 over the Hudson River between Westchester County and Rockland County.

The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge (its official name) opened in 1955 and was expected to last about 50 years. More than 138,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day, far more than it was designed to handle, according to the Thruway Authority. Its accident rate is double the average rate on the rest of the 574-mile Thruway.

The Thruway Authority received more than 750,000 pages for three design proposals.

The bridge in Proposal 1 would take a little more than five years to build and would cost at least $3.1 billion. It would be mass transit ready. The selection committee has recommended this proposal, but it is nonbinding.

Proposal 2, also mass transit ready, would take about 6 years to complete and cost almost $4 billion

Proposal 3 would take about 5 years and 11 months and cost just over $4 billion. But making it mass transit ready would entail more costs.

All three proposals meet environmental standards, according to the Thruway Authority.

Under Gov. Andrew Cuomo's design-build law, the bridge contractor would have to pay for most cost overruns.

The Thruway Authority has received feedback from the public via phone and email and at public hearings. You can call 855-892-7434 or email tzb.info@thruway.ny.gov or attend a meeting to make your opinion known.

The Thruway Authority will make a final decision on the three proposals on December 17, 2012. Construction on the bridge would begin in 2013.