TZ Bridge Workers Will Not Park, Drive in South Nyack

For a select few South Nyackers, a new Tappan Zee Bridge meant .

For countless others, the prospect of a new span may conjure up images of construction crews clogging roadways and nabbing available street parking.

But that will not be the case when the $5.2 billion project begins, said Larry Schwartz, a spokesman for governor Cuomo, Wednesday evening. Schwartz and a panel of transportation and engineering officials fielded bridge questions at .

"We're not going to let workers drive through, or park, in local neighborhoods," he said.

Instead, bridge workers will commute to a staging area off of the Thruway or away from residential areas, and then pile into buses. The buses will take workers to the emergency Thruway exit in South Nyack—the final one before the bridge begins—and directly into the work zone.

The state will generally schedule one shift each day, added Mark Roche, an engineer working alongside Cuomo and other bridge officials. A shift is between eight and 10 hours.

Workers are permitted to carry out piling, , between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Noise, air and vibration monitors will be placed around the village, and live feeds will be available for viewing on a website, Schwartz added.

"Not just homeowners, but the public at large will be able to see," he said. According to the , officials must correct any excessive noise problems within a brief window of time.

Susan Pilla of South Nyack said it is the years-long construction period that most worries residents.

"The noise from traffic once [the new bridge] is complete isn't our concern," she said. "It's living through the next six years."

The bridge is expected to be complete by 2017.

Wednesday evening's forum drew a modest crowd; about 20 residents, many from South Nyack, asked several questions and took notes.

One resident anxious about property values decreasing asked about possible tax abatements for villagers.

"The honest answer is, we haven't looked at it," Schwartz said. "That doesn't mean we can't. We'll take it under consideration."

Officials said residents with further questions can visit newnybridge.com, and expect an answer within 24 to 48 hours.

"I will respond personally, that's my charge from the governor," said spokesman Brian Conybeare.