Today we stand at a decisive moment in the history of New York State. With funding now available to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge, bold action is required to begin what will be the largest public works project ever undertaken in state history.

ReplaceTheTZBridgeNow.Org is a broad statewide coalition of major employers, transportation professionals, civil engineers, and labor organizations representing more than 300,000 employees and more than 15,000 employers. Together, we are calling for replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge this year with a new Hudson River crossing.

We carry the message that our communities, commuters, stakeholders and conservation organizations must hear. We urge local, state and federal government officials to keep up their measured support. We stand against those who are now calling for more unnecessary delays, superfluous environmental studies and needless extra costs.

The Hudson River crossing project will energize an economic resurgence, create jobs, and provide safe and efficient travel for the more than 140,000 vehicles crossing the bridge every day. The new structure is also the first step to addressing long-term commuter needs, including future public transit.

The Tappan Zee is a critical transportation link. It not only connects Westchester and Rockland counties, but also plays a vital role in the economic life of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The structure’s severe deterioration, however, is an indisputable fact. Any further delays in building a new Hudson River crossing will not only put the motoring public’s safety at risk, it will also jeopardize the economic stability of the region and the state as a whole.

Governor Cuomo and the Obama Administration announced the Hudson River crossing project would be fast-tracked through federal approvals, paving the way for construction on the estimated $5.2 billion plan to begin as early as August 2012. The new bridge would provide safe, structurally sound dual-span crossings with the needed width, strength and components to accommodate all forms of mass transit for both the near and long-term.

Our aggressive public-awareness campaign aims to garner support from thousands of local and regional businesses, as well as residents and taxpayers who depend on the Tappan Zee Bridge daily for safe, efficient commuting, freight deliveries, leisure travel and expeditious emergency services. With your help we will convince government leaders to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge now.

To contact ReplaceTheTZBridgeNow.Org, please call 914-631-6070 or email us at cicwhv@aol.com. You may also write us at P.O. Box 98, West Main Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591.