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

Progress on Thruway & State Police Facilities

The new maintenance facility is progressing rapidly per this photo courtesy of the New York State Thruway Authority. Crews were also pouring concrete for the new state police facility on the south side of the Thruway (webcam photo below).

You and I see lanes of traffic divided by a concrete strip in the photo below. They — the design-build team and others working on this project — see a future walking and bicycle path (right lane) and a breakdown lane (second from right).

Hadn’t planned to walk two miles yesterday. One more mile plus one-tenth, and I’d have crossed the new bridge on foot; add a bit more for the path’s start and end. Planning to walk another mile or two a few times per week.

These outings will put my brand new hip joint to the test and are prep for my eventual goal: to walk across the path. Aced the Lower Hudson Valley Engineering Expo weekend before last.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018

Flashback Friday: Five Years of Blogging

The night before the new bridge’s westbound span opens: photo courtesy of the New York State Thruway Authority. The eastbound span will open sometime this year; the walking and bicycle path not for another year.

It’s all about the concrete as places precast slabs near the Westchester landing pours concrete for the new state trooper facility . . . and the new maintenance facility gets exterior wall panels and windows.

Learn more at the Lower Hudson Valley Engineering Expo this Sunday, April 15.

I’d like to know what you think.

Copyright © Janie Rosman and Kaleidoscope Eyes 2018