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Old TZB Now Closed As Traffic Shifts To New Bridge

Westchester-bound traffic moved to the first span of the new Tappan Zee Bridge on Friday night and demolition of the old bridge will start Tuesday, Oct. 10.

The old Tappan Zee Bridge, far left, is now closed with demolition starting next week as all traffic has shifted to the new TZB (right).

The old Tappan Zee Bridge, far left, is now closed with demolition starting next week as all traffic has shifted to the new TZB (right).

Photo Credit: NYSTA

The demolition is expected to last up to one month. 

Traffic on the new TZB will consist of four lanes in each direction, separated by a concrete barrier, until the second span of the new bridge opens next year.

As motorists take in the new TZB with its state-of-the-art lights and modern construction, more than just a few might be wondering if tolls will increase once 2020 and the freeze has passed.

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino gives Gov. Andrew Cuomo credit for getting the bridge built, but he is concerned – like many people who cross the bridge daily – that there is no financial plan to pay for it nor any figure on how much the tolls will go up.

“I was an early advocate for building a new bridge so I give the governor a lot of credit for getting it built," he said. "But it’s troubling that we have now had a ribbon cutting, and we still don’t know how we are going to pay for the bridge. Indecision can be very expensive when it comes to billion dollar projects. Putting things off is not a financial strategy that typically works out well for taxpayers.”

And everyone knows that the $5 tolls will be gone when the clock hands make their move to 2021.

But just how much the increase will be is anyone's question. Some have talked of $15 tolls, others say $7 to $12 would be more in line.

Stay tuned and check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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