Above: The revised design has chamfered towers.
The visual quality panel (VQP) for the New NY Bridge had invited public comments on the design choices for the towers of the cable-stayed bridge that will be built in the state of New York, USA.
Tappan Zee Constructors, made up of Fluor, American Bridge, Granite Construction Northeast and Traylor Bros, was awarded the US$3.142bn design and build contract in December.
“Governor Cuomo has made it clear that transparency and public input must play a key role in the construction of the New New York Bridge,” said VQP chair Brian Conybeare. “The success of this process has reinforced that the VQP is essential in both achieving this goal and giving Hudson Valley residents a bridge they can be proud of.”
Last week, the VQP presented two design options for the public to consider. Option A - the original design provided for in the Tappan Zee Constructors' proposal - had flat, rectangular, squared-off towers that rise 124.7m above the water.
Above: The original option had flat tower tops.
Option B - -the recommended design - has chamfered or angled towers that rise 127.7m above the water and provides a more slender appearance.
The VQP received more than 220 comments from the public, which supported the VQP’s recommendation of Option B by a margin of more than three to one. The design does not require any changes to the bridge's structural capacity or construction schedule, but could increase the price slightly. The final cost will be determined in future negotiations between the Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors and could be offset by future savings.
