Ribbon-Cutting For Walking Path Over The Hudson On The MCB

TARRYTOWN, NY — The shared-use path across the Hudson River officially opened Monday with a ribbon-cutting at the Westchester Landing of the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge.

With its signature blue overlay, the 12-foot wide shared use path extends from its Westchester Landing in the Village of Tarrytown, across one of the widest points of the Hudson River, to its Rockland Landing in the Village of South Nyack. It takes about 80 minutes to walk the length of the path and roughly 20 minutes to bike it.

Located on the northern twin spans that replaced the deteriorating Tappan Zee Bridge, the path features six scenic overlooks, digital kiosks, interpretive signage and public art. Visitor parking, restrooms, bicycle repair stations and other amenities, along with connectivity to local bicycle and pedestrian networks, are available at both landings.

The shared use path was part of the Thruway Authority's $3.9 billion project to build the new bridge. The cable-stayed crossing has been built to serve the Hudson Valley without major maintenance for at least a century. Roughly 50 million vehicles cross the bridge annually.

Before cutting the blue ribbon, Gov. Andrew Cuomo held his daily briefing outside, at the bridge's Westchester Landing.

"If you look south you can see New York City," he said. "If you look north you see one of the most beautiful river valleys on the globe."

Though he admitted he was partisan on the subject (the bridge is named after his father) the governor said he thought it was the most beautiful bridge in the United States. And, he said, as the largest public works project in the nation in recent years, it is an inspiration for when people wonder if they can rise to a challenge.

"Over the past 106 days we confronted another challenge, the greatest challenge in a generation," he said. "When we started we had the worst infection rate in the United States of America. Today we have the best."

Asked by reporters about the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, he remarked on the irony of how things have changed in 106 days. "The other states said, 'we don't want New Yorkers here.' The federal government was talking about blockading New Yorkers from leaving." He is not currently considering any tit-for-tat measures, he said.

Most New Yorkers are being very careful about following pandemic protocols, he said, noting that his office had received 25,000 complaints over the weekend about places and people that were not.

"People are scared," he said. "Now if they see a business doing the wrong thing they snap a picture."

Cuomo said after receiving all of the complaints he reached out to some of the businesses. "So I make a few phone calls and said to restaurant owners, 'What are you doing? I'm looking at a picture taken 30 minutes ago in your place.'

"The people of New York know the sacrifice they made over the past 106 days and they don't want anyone's irresponsibility to jeopardize that," he said.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the path for pedestrians and bicyclists was held on Mario Cuomo's birthday. Monday night, the bridge will be illuminated in blue.

Cuomo said often at night during the worst of the pandemic he would imagine his father's voice. "He gave me great advice," he said. "Take responsibility, own it, don't get into a blame game. My father said to me, 'rise above the politics. Don't listen to the naysayers. Speak to people's better angels. Tell them the truth and they will do the right thing.'"

IF YOU GO:

• The Westchester Landing is at 333 South Broadway in Tarrytown. The Rockland Landing is at 1200 Route 9W in the village of South Nyack. Restrooms are in the Welcome Centers at both landings, as are water fountains.
• It takes about 80 minutes to cross on foot and about 20 minutes pedaling a bike.
• The path features designated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists traveling in both directions to ensure safety. There is a 15-mph speed limit for all cyclists. Per a new state law, Class 1 and Class 2 bicycles with electric assist (e-bikes) may be used on the path by those 16 years of age and older. All cyclists must yield to pedestrians.
• Wind, rain, sun, temperatures all feel more intense out over the water; dress accordingly.
• There is a four-hour time limit in the parking lots at the path, and visitors are strongly encouraged to take shuttles and other mass transit to the path.
• Hudson Link will offer free bus shuttles. This week they'll run from large commuter parking lots in Rockland and Westchester to stop near the path's landings in Tarrytown and South Nyack through Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Friday, the Hudson Link path shuttle will begin its regular weekend summer schedule, operating from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The state-of-the-art path shuttles will leave every 20 minutes from Palisades Center. A map, schedule and details are available on Hudson Link's website.
• As part of its COVID-19 response, Hudson Link has taken precautions including asking passengers to social distance and wear masks. Maximum occupancy per bus is 25 customers.
• The shared use path will be open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The path may temporarily close due to inclement weather, maintenance operations or security concerns.
• Updates and path information will be available at the bridge's new website and on its new Twitter account, @GMMCB, both launching today.

SEE: Pedestrian, Bicycle Path Opens Monday On Mario Cuomo Bridge