Throwback Thursday: Deck Panel Installation

This time last year:

Crews continue to set precast concrete deck panels atop the steel girders, install rebar, pour concrete and ready the driving surface of the eastbound span. This is what the westbound span looked like before its final driving surface was applied. Deck panels were interlocked via their hairpin reinforcing steel bars; the spaces between them were closed with reinforcing concrete.

They’re doing other work, too, including removing sections of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Their order is the section south of the center, a cantilever truss weighing 4,560 tons; strand jacks will then help lower the main span section closest to Westchester, an anchor span weighing 5,350 tons, onto barges. Then comes the section south of the center, followed by the section closest to Rockland.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018

Claremont Elementary names One Baby Falcon

Katherine Castrillo’s class at Claremont Elementary School was all smiles and cheers this week after one of the four baby falcons was named Rio, the kids’ choice for this year’s naming contest. More than 1,500 people picked the winning names from 10 entries.

The project team will also visit Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley and Washington Irving Intermediate School in Tarrytown, whose classes submitted the other winning names: Talon-ted, Cardi Beak and Speedy.

Following an award ceremony, nearly 400 students were eager to learn about the new bridge’s technology, environmental precautions, oyster relocation and falcon nest. And the Tappan Zee Bridge got their attention: they all wanted to see part of the old bridge blown up in the river. Your description may vary.

That’s for another blog post.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2019

She Did It! Mom’s first Car Trip and into Nyack

It’s been more than two years since mom drove across the Hudson River. Her wonderful aide helped get her into my car where, cushioned by pillows, she took in the sights and the new bridge.

First impressions included: “The lanes are very wide,” “What is that?” (pointing to where the path is being built), “Why did they change the name?” (seeing the new signs), “He was a good governor (referencing the late Mario Cuomo).

We were disappointed to find the road leading to Memorial Park and the viewing area was closed. Several people suggested alternatives for next time as the village closes the road when the parking lot is full. That’s ridiculous.

This bars everyone whose vehicle has a handicapped parking sticker or tag and who isn’t ambulatory. We’ve been there years ago when the lot was crowded, and people were considerate; no one’s car blocked anyone.

I drove around Nyack and found a great view of the bridge for mom and her aide, then found a parking spot offering some shade and bought us ice cream. It was a day out for mom as until now she’d been transported by ambulette, and she didn’t stop smiling. My heart is happy, and I’m grateful to her aide for making it possible.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2019

More Lanes and Room and no less Traffic Jams

Driving on the bridge yesterday was an ordeal. A Hudson Link bus was in one of the non-bus lanes; trucks in the right lane had difficulty making the reduced grade on the Westchester approach span and slowed traffic behind them (including me) considerably.

More fun happened at Exit 10, whose two lanes were merged into one lane that started a backup within feet of exiting the Thruway. It took 10 minutes from that point to reach Route 9 north.

New bridge, wider lanes, same and more traffic issues.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 201

Winning Names picked in 2019 Falcon Contest

Congratulations to the winning classes at Claremont Elementary School in Ossining, Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley and Washington Irving Intermediate School in Tarrytown. More than More than 1,500 people picked their submissions — Talon-ted, Cardi Beak, Rio and Speedy — from 10 entries in the 2019 Falcon Naming Contest.

They’ll receive awards next week from the outreach team. Congratulations to the students whose names were selected!

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2019