Cuomo, Unions Strike TZ Bridge Construction Deal

In a deal brokered by New York State governor Andrew Cuomo and construction union leaders, the state has reached an agreement on the building details of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, Bloomberg.com is reporting.

The deal between the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) and over a dozen construction unions will save taxpayers an estimated $450 million, according to reports.

Outlined in the agreement are 10-hour work days over a four-day work week. Additionally, construction union leaders promised no strikes during the estimated five-year build.

Construction leaders and workers have been a constant presence at bridge meetings and forums over the past year, often coming out in large groups to show support for the project and solidarity.

Ross Pepe, head of the Hudson Valley's Construction Industry Council, said the agreement is sound news. Pepe represents agencies that hire local construction workers.

"It's important to the future of the Tappan Zee Bridge project," he said. "It will let local workers carry out the majority of the work."

The NYSTA recently to "negative" by Standard and Poor's.

The $5.2 billion new bridge is being financed with public funds—state officials have said toll hikes and toll-backed bonds will be used to tackle the price tag. A billion-dollar federal loan .

In past months, , nearby residents in South Nyack as an ongoing problem. The state was slated to , but has since announced it will take none—.

The Salisbury Point Co-ops, a residential building on the banks of the Hudson, has a group of residents who are uniting to prevent the build from .