TARRYTOWN – The US Department
of Transportation has awarded $10 million to the state for the I-287 Hudson
Links project connecting to the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
The federal agency said the proposal would help implement part of the
bridge project’s mass transit task force report by paying for new
bus stations, technology improvements to speed traffic on Route 59 in
Rockland County and Route 119 in White Plains and ramp signals along 287
to ease traffic.
Rockland County Executive Edwin Day said the grant is “a smart investment
that will help create jobs, improve the efficiency of traffic flow and
reduce commute times. I hope this commitment is a first step in obtaining
additional federal funding through future grant opportunities over the
next several years.”
Senator Charles Schumer said the funding “will pave the way for
more efficient and faster public transportation across the Tappan Zee
Bridge that will enable New York to install a state-of-the-art bus rapid
transit system.” He said the money will also “bring improvements
to the roads that link area transit together.”
“This federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation
will allow the state to make critical upgrades for public transit and
pedestrians in Westchester and Rockland Counties across the New New York
Tappan Zee Bridge,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Investing in
our transportation infrastructure helps to create jobs now, and lay the
foundation for more jobs tomorrow. Hudson Valley will be able to continue
the development momentum generated by these investments.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D, NY17) said the federal funding “will
improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable east-west transportation
for Westchester and Rockland residents.”
