State Confident Federal TZ Funds Will Come Through

Though the undertaking to build a new Tappan Zee Bridge , state and highway officials are confident the funds will materialize later down the line.

New York State was excluded from applying for the current stash of TIFIA funds, but Thomas Madison, executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority, said it will be able to down the line—and that there are other pots of federal money, as well.

"We are very pleased that the Tappan Zee has been placed on a shortlist," Madison added.

The news broke Thursday afternoon that New York State was not invitied to apply; instead, smaller projects in states like California, Texas, Virginia and Colorada received the green light.

State officials said this cycle's TIFIA pot is $100 million, only a fraction of the cost of the $5.2 billion Tappan Zee Bridge.

Once congress authorizes the upcoming transportation budget, the Tappan Zee Bridge's application will be reconsidered. There is no set date yet as to when the budget approval may take place.

Construction leaders remain optimistic, too, saying plans to construct the bridge must not be put on hold.

"By choosing five other projects ahead of the Tappan Zee Bridge, the feds sent a twofold message to New York," said Ross Pepe, president and Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc.. "The first is that the bridge replacement project clearly qualifies because of the regional significance of the project. Secondly, that we must move forward without delay." 

"The fact that the Tappan Zee Bridge was being considered meant that we ran neck and neck in the race," he added. "Every stakeholder in the region must continue to stay committed to the safety and well-being of the tens of thousands of commuters and highway users who travel the bridge daily. Let's continue to move this project forward, and let’s reapply for these and other federal funding sources."

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For a closer look at the TIFIA process and the Tappan Zee Bridge's relation, click .