STOP THE INSANITY! RESTORE, RATHER THAN REPLACE THE THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE.
Please sing the Petition at SignOn.org: http://signon.org/sign/stop-the-insanity-restore?source=c.url&r_by=4599103
Other important points to consider:
Please sing the Petition at SignOn.org: http://signon.org/sign/stop-the-insanity-restore?source=c.url&r_by=4599103
Other important points to consider:
JOBS? “NOT ALL THE UNEMPLOYED ARE IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS.”
Jobs will be doled out to the lowest bidder, pulling most workers from out of state.
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RESIDENTS of NEW YORK STATE, Mayor Drew Fixell, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Mayor Ken Wray, Mayor Jen White, Mayor Brian Smith, County Executive Rob Astorino, Assemblyman Tom Abinanti Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, Governor Cuomo, President Obama.
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DO WE NEED A NEW BRIDGE? NO! TAXPAYERS BEWARE!
Special interest groups and Big Government are trying to ram construction of an expensive new replacement Tappan Zee Bridge that we absolutely do not need nor can afford!
RESIDENTS, ENVIRONMENTALISTS; SPEAK OUT!
The Department of Transportation determined the bridge is safe; restoring the current bridge is our most affordable OPTION with the least NEGATIVE environmental impact on our communities and the river, this was one of the ORIGINAL OPTIONS, but was not presented for public review.
SHOULD WE BUY INTO OUR GOVERNOR’S ASSERTION THAT NEW YORK’S POPULATION IS GROWING, thereby supporting the need for such ambitious and outrageously expensive projects? As the highest taxed state in the union, we just lost a congressional seat due to decreased population. Growth studies from Social Security and the Censes Bureau indicate that people and businesses are fleeing NY, not moving in.
$$$$ HOW WILL IT BE PAID FOR? YOU, WILL PAY FOR IT.
The proposed bridge should be paid for by surplus funds from balanced budgets, and not from higher tolls and borrowed funds that will raise taxes. How the new bridge will be paid for has never been presented to the communities at large. The Federal Transportation Department refused the $2 billion recently requested by the governor, stating that it is not a top priority.
WILL THE PROJECT EXCEED IT’S ORIGINAL PROJECTION OF
$5 BILLION? YOU BET!
The original estimated cost is at $5 billion, other estimates project costs at twice that, or more. The cost of the I-287 improvement project ran over two times it’s original estimate, was started eleven years ago and is still under construction.
WILL THIS AFFECT PROPERTY VALUES AND TAXES? ABSOLUTELY!
Without the surplus funds, a yet to be balanced budget, and cost overruns, property and other taxes will no doubt become “The Crossing Project’s” bank. Bridge tolls will sky rocket.
IS CUOMO RUSHING THE PROJECT? YES! With One ‘Design-Build’ Entity. Meaning, the Governor, is giving control of design and construction to one consortium, rather than having the usual bidding process, to speed the project up. Is that a good idea? No competition for the lowest bids and no imput by taxpayers.
JOBS? “NOT ALL THE UNEMPLOYED ARE IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS.”
Jobs will be doled out to the lowest bidder, pulling most workers will come from out of state.
WILL THE REPLACEMENT BRIDGE IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW? NO!
Wider than the current bridge, therefore creating the effect of improved traffic flow, but I-287 and the NY Thruway, connecting the bridge, are not being widened to accommodate any additional lanes - a blueprint for even worse traffic slow downs.
QUALITY OF LIFE? 5 YEARS Ha! THINK 7, 8 OR 9 YEARS (a conservative overrun estimate) of NOISE, DUST, INCREASED EXHAUST FUMES, RODENTS, and endless truck traffic lumbering through your towns hauling millions of pounds of steel and equipment to the construction sites on both sides of the river. TRAFFIC JAMS and even temporarily CLOSED ROADS will result.
NO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY WAS PRESENTED to show the impact the new bridge will have on our communities? The DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Study) DID NOT adequately detail what environmental impact the new bridge would have on said communities and the river. Not even a rendering or architectural plan depicting the new bridge was presented.
WILL AIR QUALITY BE AFFECTED? YES,IT WILL GET WORSE.
Westchester and Rockland are already out of compliance with EPA standards across the I-287 corridor and are listed among the worst counties in the country in terms of air pollution. During this underestimated construction time plan, air quality will only get worse.
WHAT IMPACT WILL THE TWO (2) NEW SPANS HAVE ON THE HUDSON RIVER? Chorost and Sherman of Nyack, co-presidents of Concerned Citizens for Responsible Development a leading Hudson River environmental watchdog and enforcement organization say, "The despoiling effect on the river is inestimable." Riverkeeper, NY Clean Water Advocate say Hudson River fish species, habitats, water quality and wetlands will be adversely affected." These organizations are on record as rejecting the need and desirability of a replacement bridge.
WILL NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOME SALES SUFFER? OF COURSE!
Living near a mammoth construction zone for five to eight years or more will deter families from moving to these Westchester and Rockland townships. Just imagine the gridlock and delays.
RESIDENTS, WAKE UP! IT’S YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND YOUR MONEY.
We must realize the extreme negative impact a new bridge will bring. The true facts are not getting out. Governor Cuomo is bent on pushing for a new bridge, refusing to address these vital questions.
For in depth articles on the folly of a new bridge, go to the following links:
