New View of the Familiar: Below the Girders

Image capture (340 Piermont Avenue) November 2021 ©2022 Google

Earlier this week, I met cousins at a restaurant in Piermont, where we reminisced about family and caught up with each other’s doings. The view was spectacular; the bridge in the far distance brought back memories of meetings and events from years past. There was even a small replica of the twin spans inside the dining area.

Two years ago, I wrote what I thought was a final blog post. The eastbound span was open, the path was also open, and the project (including art) was completed.

After we said goodbye — and instead of driving to the Thruway via Route 9W — I took Piermont Avenue that became River Road near Grandview-on-Hudson and again Piermont Avenue once it crossed under the bridge. I remember watching the first girder placement seven years ago this month.

A friend later reminded me of the LEAPING STURGEON in South Nyack: when the Hudson River rises, the sculpture appears to “leap” out of the water. Driving under the blue steel above River Road reminded me of many “firsts” of covering this project, including that girder placement.

There may be more posts. For now, you can find me via the About/Contact page.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2022

Bridge Art incorporates Pieces of Tappan Zee; Lingering Thoughts

As the bridge project and my time documenting it are completed, I twice walked from South Nyack to Tarrytown in June. It won’t be the last time as those 3.6 miles afford gorgeous views of the Hudson Valley. Once to took the free shuttle bus that operates Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays back to my car at the South Nyack landing. The second time Trooper Griffin of State Police Troop T drove me across the bridge to the South Nyack landing as it was Thursday, and I’d forgotten to bring fare for the shuttle back. Appreciated the ride and conversation.

Thank you for reading my blog, which I began after two community meetings with business leaders. Notable moments from this project, one of my more fascinating assignments, include President Obama’s visit to Tarrytown, the super crane’s arrival, its first girder assembly placement, the main span towers’ completion and the westbound span’s opening day.

APPROACH (Fitzhugh Karol) Brooklyn

Fast forward to June 2020: the long-awaited path on that span opened, affording a bit more space to bicyclists than to pedestrians and highlighting the importance of safety, speed and consideration within in its 12-foot width. Sculptures at each landing — one above in South Nyack, two below in Tarrytown — contain reclaimed steel from the Tappan Zee Bridge.

UNTITLED, FOR IMRE LENDVAI (Thomas Lendvai, Ronkonkoma)

About the Tappan Zee: I agree with a friend that the governor was disingenuous at best for ignoring the indigenous name for the area and for ignoring its history by renaming the new bridge for his late father.

The structure cost more than its initial price tag and took longer to complete than its contracted five years and two months, and the design-build team sued the state for $900 million in extra costs last November. Did you know the initially-proposed “light rail” was never to be built? If it was, then where would it connect to exiting rail lines? Now you know.

CURRENT (Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong, Brooklyn) Sculpture

If you’ve read something within this blog that sparks a memory or would like to learn more about the new bridge, then visit Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The New NY Bridge website is archived on that site and will remain live or follow links within this blog to its pages.

You can find me via the About/Contact page. Till we meet again on the path . . . or something inspires me to continue here.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2020

Random Photos from a Second Walk on the Path

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It was a last-minute decision to release pent-up energy from the past week. Windy, not very hot, good day for a walk. Windy it was, and humid, too. Today’s walk was to see what I missed last time, to find what others might overlook. Some of the overlooks were empty so I took pictures of their unique seating.

And it was me challenging myself to walk it again, this time at a brisk pace. As I neared the main span I realized I forgot to bring money for the Hudson Link bus as the free shuttle only ran on weekends, and this was Thursday.

I’d already planned to ask the driver where to send the money as I was too tired to walk back. One of the Thruway employees at the parking lot suggested I ask the New York State Police for a ride to my car.

Seeing a jeep near the back of the Welcome Center, I sighed in relief. Thank you to Trooper Griffin of Troop T for driving me across the bridge today. Appreciated the ride and conversation.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2020

Sights and Stops from South Nyack to Tarrytown

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These pictures from Friday’s walk are randomly sequenced. People were friendly, the views were spectacular, I enjoyed seeing the bridge and landings art . . . and realized I’d missed something. One of several reasons to return. Till next time!

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2020

A Closer Look at Art on the Bridge and Landings

Last week I walked on the trail and took pictures of the South Nyack landing and its sculpture landing through the barricades. It’s blends into and is at home on the landing.

“The artist is still there, and he’s working,” a man with a camera said, passing me as I approached the South Broadway underpass. On the other side was Chris Soria adding touches to his mural. I told him it’s beautiful, at which he turned, smiled, gave me a thumbs-up, and returned to his work.

As the path curves away from the bridge to the landing, you’ll see a sculpture that changes depending upon where you stand and creates equally-varied shadows.

You may recognize these sections of 6’ and 4’ pilings, used for the foundation and previously at the Outreach Centers. They’re just past the Tarrytown landing.

Detailed information about art on the bridge and at the landings is here. One other piece of art that got my attention was this work at the Tarrytown landing. I missed a few pieces of art and shall look for them next time.

Thank you to NYSTA crews on both landings for their help and for answering my questions about directions. Below is my shadow while taking the picture. Below is the sculpture is in-between the spur path and the Esposito Trail in South Nyack, where the Hudson Link bus driver stopped to let me off.

There are no signs in Tarrytown indicating the free shuttle bus* so I took the first bright blue bus that passed and enjoyed an air-conditioned and comfortable ride as we bypassed traffic. Yes, familiar traffic returned to the bridge.

*Later I learned it comes in-between the regularly-scheduled Hudson Link buses.

The website (click VISIT on the top menu, then FAQ from the drop-down menu) says the trip takes about 80 minutes. However, unless you walk quickly it may take longer when you factor in the heat and sun — and, of course, stopping at the six overlooks to take pictures, enjoy the views and read about Hudson Valley history.

More posts and photos to come. I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2020