Personal: Slowing Down and Catching Up

It was a long time coming: arthroscopic surgery to my right hand yesterday. My new friend is a left-handed scissors, which I happened upon in a stationery store. Marketed as a child’s scissors for either hand, it was a bargain and small so as not to be cumbersome. I’m left-handed yet my right hand is dominant.

EarthCam® images showed a gorgeous sunset Sunday night, a pretty end to a fun afternoon with mom, my brother and my niece. It was grandparents’ day at the nursing home, where mom is temporarily while I recuperate.

This blog has been inconsistent of late, I admit; changing the bridge’s incorrect signage and construction of the side path, state police barracks and visitors center/maintenance facility continue. Now I’ve time to catch up with writing and look forward to a road trip in the new car come November.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2019

Glimpses of the Project from the NYSTA’s Lens

The scenic overlooks are taking shape. Seen from below is Fish and Ship, which is closest to Rockland. When finished, it will look like this:

This is a pretty view from the river between the spans and very different from the underbelly of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The rebar-reinforced concrete wall extends the length of the bridge and will separate the westbound span’s shoulder from the new path.

Here’s why (bottom of page) you won’t see the falcon’s nest from the road. All photos are courtesy of the New York State Thruway Authority.

As the western anchor span that helped support the Tappan Zee Bridge shrinks, crews continue working on state police Troop T’s new headquarters on the Thruway’s south side and the visitor center and maintenance facility on the north side, both near the Westchester landing, The new path is taking shape; you can see its entrance from that landing onto the bridge.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2019

Westchester Landing, Path Terminus take Shape

Landing under construction on August 2017, opening day westbound span/©J Rosman

The above photo was taken as our media bus made its way to the westbound span’s opening day ceremony 18 months ago. Check out the progress (below): crews are building foundation walls for the path terminus, building retaining walls, installing rebar and pouring concrete and filling previously dug holes (backfilling).

Shared use path Westchester landing leading to welcome center in Tarrytown/NYSTA

While construction is not visible from the road, you can’t miss the towers. Mom hasn’t driven across the bridge in nearly two years and wants to see it; the towers were topped with blue jump forms the last time she saw them (about two year ago).

Looking north where shared use path meets Westchester landing in Tarrytown/NYSTA

The bridge did open within the 62 month deadline (January 2013 to March 2018). Was the side path on the westbound span also factored into the timeline? I’m guessing not. Also scheduled to open this year are the maintenance facility, welcome center and new police barracks.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2019

TBT: Sneak Peek at New State Police Barracks

Last year your intrepid reporter visited the project site. The above New York State Thruway Authority photo shows only one side so, camera in hand . . .

I drove past the fork in the road and was stopped by a guard. After a few minutes of talking, I took a few photos of the structure from an “invisible via car” side.

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Several years earlier, residents in the 40-home neighborhood bordering the bridge were concerned about how vehicles would access the construction site, safety for kids playing, school buses and the nearby JCC.

The area was quiet and clean this afternoon; the only visible signs of construction were structures (seen here) towering over a metal fence guarded by security. Past the cars and the Thruway is the new maintenance facility with new metal panels.

Personal note: A big thank you with gratitude and appreciation to everyone who supported me during the past stressful week. Mom was taken to the hospital one week ago Friday with multiple complications and was discharged yesterday with renewed spirit and appetite.

Needing to make a decision about mom in addition to other responsibilities, I kept putting one foot in front of the other. I’m relieved her health has improved and that she’s in a new facility to help her regain mobility and balance.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018

Bridge Name Stands, and New Bus Lanes Enforced

The day after the elections tells Hudson Valley residents the new bridge’s name will not be changed any time soon. If “New York’s immigrants are at the heart of our state’s rich civic and social diversity,” as the state’s website says, then why did Governor Cuomo erase their important and significant representation?

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Last Sunday I was in Nyack and watched one new Hudson Link bus nearly clip my car as its driver made a left turn from South Broadway. I moved past the curb at a red light on the single-lane side street because a car parked on the other side of the street added to the driver’s difficulty. What will happen when the streets are crowded with people and cars in a hurry?

Here’s what you need to know per the press release if you commute by car:

“State Police will be responsible for enforcing the proper use of the bus lane. The first violation will carry a fine of $150, and the penalty would escalate for any repeat violations within an 18-month period.”

Let’s hope the new bus line is effective for Westchester and Rockland commuters. Westchesterites say it offers no opportunities for transit-oriented development; Rocklanders aren’t happy about the new bus stop locations and routes.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018