An independent construction company carrying out Tappan Zee Bridge deck replacement was slapped with a $235,000 fine from New York State after Tuesday morning work delays, and consequent traffic.
The deck replacement effort—which swaps in needed upgrades on the deteriorating span—requires lane closures during late-night and early-morning weekday hours.
The construction company, Tutor Perini Corp., is supposed to have all lanes re-opened by 6 a.m. for the rush hour traffic.
But a handful of southbound and northbound lanes did not open Tuesday morning until 7 a.m. or later, causing massive congestion.
Tutor Peini Corp. was fined $1,000 per lane per minute for the delays, officials told Patch.
In addition to a legion of miffed commuters, local politicians spoke out, calling for heightened fines.
"It is an outrage that construction contractors on the Tappan Zee Bridge continue to break morning work deadlines that cause massive travel delays," said Sen. David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) Monday. "Their failure to ensure that lanes were reopened on time has placed an undue burden on thousands of residents who cross the span every day."
"When commuters are stuck in traffic, it hurts our economy, impacts our quality of life and damages our environment," he added.
Carlucci also called for a $10,000 per-minute fine in lieu of the existing $1,000 per-minute fine.
Tutor Peini Corp. was awarded the $148.8 million Tappan Zee Bridge deck replacement contract in August of 2006.
Construction on a new Tappan Zee Bridge is slated to begin in the next several months, and cost taxpayers about $16 billion.
They are replacing the deck on the old bridge. I have paperwork showing that the pilings are fine. We know that the bridge is constantly being re-painted and rust-proofed They are repairing the beams that hold the new deck. Why do we need a new bridge?????? Why do we have to pay 16 billion dollars for a new bridge when the old one will be just like new when they are finished????????
The NYS Thruway is going to be the "super highway" system. The state does not even have the money to pay for it and will pay for it with loans subsidized by the taxpayer. After they are done, the tolls are expected to increase to about $30.00. This will make it unaffordable for most people and businesses to cross the bridge. The County has just announced an 18 percent tax increase. This coupled with what it will cost taxpayers to pay for the bridge will begin to squeeze out the middle class and small businesses. For those of you who understand United Nations Agenda 21 and how it is being implemented in this country, you will understand what I am talking about. If you don't know, make sure to research it.
I see many complain about the $148 million cost of the 6-year project, but how much more complaining would be done if EVERYONE had to drive 10 miles out of your way to get to another crossing because this was unsafe to use? Of that $148 million cost, how much do you think is actually profit for a public NYSE construction company once you remove insurance & bond charges, licenses & fees, subcontractor payments, labor & benefit cost, the ever-changing price of construction materials, concrete, & fuel, the running of the contractor & NYS field offices for the duration of the project? Most projects are considered a success if they profit 1-4%...you do the math. Do anyone honestly think that if ANY company was fined $10k per minute delayed opening-which could have been due to a safety issue, accident or injury-they wouldn't have included the possible cost of such an obscene fine in the bid price? Things are bound to happen unexpectedly, that's just a part of life...take it with a grain of salt, enjoy the beautiful morning, the scenery, and go with the not-so-fast flow of traffic. I do daily!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h62lSGK4Y8
I believe the consequences of failure to comply with the contract will felt by contractor. Hence, my opinion on their likely fine advoidance strategy to possibly curtail restoration work hours before the 6am clear time. "One should never undertake an activity you can't complete by 4am". Depending on which New Tappan Zee Bridge plan you review, the current bridge is the option for the next 5+ years. Letting it fall into the Hudson in the intrim might not be prudent. From my readings, unless there are 20 mile out plans for volume on either side, I don't personally understand the plan. While the plan is on the Federal & State agenda I believe inclusion of more comprehensive strategy might be considered. Reading of light rail successes across the country are eye opening. It should be included. Day one. Hence, under the current plan I believe the new bridge will be obselete - again: day one. While I understand the concept of "you have to start somewhere", picemealing public works projects is difficult. Most never reach fruition. We need a new bridge, let's all get together to be sure it's one that endures like that little thing spanning Brooklyn-Manhattan...