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

Last Historical Society of Rockland County TZB Tour

You find all sorts of interesting objects in the Hudson River, like these pier caps from the Tappan Zee Bridge that were being barged to the Port of Coeymans and will be reused. Photo courtesy of the New York State Thruway Authority.

Today was the last time the Mississippi-style paddle wheeler River Rose hosted the Historical Society of Rockland County’s Tappan Zee Bridge Experience: Past, Present and Future. I attended last month and saw the bridge, despite missing a center chunk of its span and landings, getting as much camera attention as its recent $4 billion replacement.

“This is our fifth year, we’ve taken 12 trips and about 1,800 people” to see the bridge project, HSRC Executive Director Susan Deeks said during that trip. “It’s been a blast. Everyone has had a good time during these trips.”

It has been a blast for me, Susan, for the past five years, and I thank you and HSRC, the Thruway Authority and the bridge project for these fascinating and unparalleled adventures.

Crews continue removing parts of the Tappan Zee and putting overhead gantries on the eastbound span. Might as well take down the 45-miles-per-hour speed limit LED signs on the westbound span gantries as vehicles, especially trucks, like to ignore them. I follow the speed limit and get tailgated.

Getting there. Gantry installation, closure pours, concrete pours at the Rockland landing and work on the Thruway maintenance and state police facility continue.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018

Solace and the Familiar Smell of the Ocean

Today was a beautiful day with a blue sky and blue river, perfect for checking out the project from the viewing area at Nyack’s Memorial Park. Mom loved people-watching from the car, eating ice cream and happy to spend a few hours with me. I missed her this afternoon.

The Hudson River smelled comforting like the ocean as I walked to the viewing area. One woman was sitting in the sun and returned my smile and comment. “I come here with the kids and don’t have to drive,” she said.

Since I was one of the few — very few — drivers holding to the speed limit, I was able to capture one of the crew working on the new maintenance building. This is where the shared use path will begin so it’s a good time to let you know I’ve been walking between seven and 10 miles per week for when the path opens in 2019.

This 12-foot-wide path (far right lane in the photo above) might fit three people abreast comfortably. Can’t see how people and bicycles can peaceably coexist on the path, especially if the walkers are strolling casually. Let’s hope so.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018

Sight Unseen: Activity Beyond the Car Windows

No fear of heights for whoever took the first two photos in this blog post or the above view of structural steel connecting the unfinished eastbound span to the Westchester landing. Photos courtesy of the New York State Thruway Authority.

After structural steel comes concrete deck panels. More than 6,000 precast ones, including those you and I drive on, have been placed so far.

You won’t see this from the road: the top view of a concrete barrier form that’s filled with steel rebar, which reinforces everything concrete on the new bridge.

Lots of progress on the Thruway Authority maintenance building, in final design. Maybe you missed this while driving by as we know your eyes were on the road.

The new barracks for state police is also shaping up on the Thruway’s south side.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018