Preliminary Alternatives/Options

A Quick Guide to the Alternatives/Options Under Study

Alternative 1, the No Build Alternative, would maintain the existing bridge and highway. Both federal and state environmental regulations require consideration within a DEIS of a no build alternative, which functions as a baseline against which to measure the “build” alternatives.

Alternative 2, Bridge Rehabilitation with Travel Demand Management and Transportation Systems Management measures, would rehabilitate the Tappan Zee Bridge, including improvements to ensure that it would comply with seismic guidelines, and implement travel demand management/transportation system management measures. These measures include congestion pricing, ramp metering (using signals to control the number of vehicles that can enter the highway) and new park and ride facilities.

Alternative 3, Full Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), would replace the existing Tappan Zee Bridge with a new bridge. The new bridge would have eight general-purpose and two high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes that would carry a cross-corridor, exclusive-lane bus rapid transit system between Suffern and Port Chester. The use of exclusive lanes would allow buses to travel at higher speeds and have more reliable travel times. Highway improvements in Rockland County would include climbing lanes for slow-moving vehicles and HOT lanes for smoother traffic flow and reduced delays.

Option 3A - This enhanced version of Alternative 3 includes a more robust BRT service plan and shows the BRT operating along the corridor along a trunk route that is intended to operate like a rail system.

Option 3B - This option includes the enhanced BRT service plan/trunk route of Option 3A and replaces the combination of dedicated bus lanes on local arterials and busway sections in Westchester County (from Alternative 3) with a high-speed busway along I-287 between the Tappan Zee Bridge and Port Chester.

Alternative 4A, Alternative 4B, and Alternative 4C feature a Commuter Rail Transit (CRT) system in Rockland County in addition to a new bridge and the same highway improvements (climbing lanes, HOT lanes) in Rockland County described above.

The commuter rail would branch off Metro-North’s Port Jervis Line and travel across the bridge to a new Tappan Zee station in Tarrytown, with a one-seat ride down the Hudson Line to Grand Central Terminal. These three alternatives vary as they cross Westchester County. Alternative 4A would extend the commuter rail across Westchester and onto the New Haven Line to Connecticut. Alternative 4B would construct a new light rail system between the new Tappan Zee commuter rail station and Port Chester. Alternative 4C would offer an exclusive bus rapid transit system between the new Tappan Zee commuter rail station and Port Chester. Both 4B and 4C would offer a transfer to the New Haven Line.

Option 4D - This option combines full corridor BRT and Manhattan-bound CRT service. It includes the BRT system of Option 3A and CRT between Suffern and Tarrytown, with a direct CRT connection to the Hudson Line.