Openness on the Tappan Zee plans
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- November
- 25
Sitting in the Tappan Zee Summit meeting called by County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell, it became clear that the public isn’t getting shut out of the process of determining the future of a Hudson River crossing.
There have been times during the process when I wasn’t sure the project team wanted much input or to have the public play a critical role. But that’s changed.
It’s clear from recent developments that public feedback – from the Stakeholder Advisory Working Groups, the Rockland and Westchester Tappan Zee Futures Task force and the public’s comments and concerns expressed at open houses – has mattered.
And Friday, whenever anyone from Rockland expressed concern about an aspect of the plans as they exist or even as they might evolve, Mike Anderson and other officials involved in the project were quick to say they’d be willing to meet and discuss the issue.
Will there be noise abatement in the Nyacks? We’ll be happy to talk about that.
Will BRT operate at ground level in Airmont? We have no decision yet, but will be happy to talk about it.
Will construction move closer to structures? Possibly, but let’s talk about that.
Over and over, there were expressions of willingness to sit down with citizens and local officials to work out such issues.
That’s a long time and a long way from the approach in the 1950s when state officials went so far as to deny there was a plan for a crossing, announcing the Nyacks-to-Tarrytown route just days later.
Finally, the information and opinions are flowing freely – both ways.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pm by Bob Baird.
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