Politics & Government

Vanderhoef: Rail Should Connect TZ, Grand Central

County Executive discusses new span, vision in WNYC interview

In an interview with WNYC Tuesday morning, Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef expressed his vision for a new Tappan Zee Bridge.

"It's one I believe in: ultimately, commuter rail which runs across the Tappan Zee Bridge to Grand Central Station and up to Stewart Airport," Vanderhoef said on The Brian Lehrer Show.

Vanderhoef was joined by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. The two politicians, both Republicans, agreed on the importance of building a replacement—but noted it has to be done "right."

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"Once we build the bridge, there's no going back to make it wider," Astorino said. "We have to position this bridge for the future, for future generations."

Vanderhoef said doing so likely means including mass transit—an option the state and federal government have deemed too pricey, but one residents have .

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Currently, the bridge is anticipated to cost $5.2 billion; estimates for including rail boost the price tag upward of $15 billion.

But Vanderhoef and Astorino said mass transit can be implemented for much less, and both are championing the recent announcement that the new span .

Leher played a sound clip during the interview of governor Andrew Cuomo addressing the span's price. Cuomo has been in touch with Vanderhoef and Astorino over the past few weeks.

"You can build whatever you want—you then have to pay for what you build," Cuomo said. He noted toll hikes will likely play a role in financing the project.

Vanderhoef also sounded off on the concept of .

"We'd have to pour money into it," he said, dismissing the notion. He added that the span would not be able to weather a major earthquake.


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