While that much has been known for months, Governor Pataki is getting bad advice regarding the claim that a new bridge would accomodate rail and reduce traffic. An East-West rail line extending off the bridge would carry few riders and cost between $2.9 and $ 4 billion. Governor Pataki said that repairing the bridge "limits the ability to have rail transportation as part of the bridge, whereas a new bridge could accomodate rail transportation, ease congestion and get people off the roads in Rockland County." Reinstitution of the West Shore Line passenger service would do that too, at far less expense.

At Congressman Gilman's transportation forum in Rockland County last week , an MTA spokesperson said that the agency was participating in NJ Transit's West Shore Rail study and that "we have not rejected it as an option." This contradicts MTA Chairman E. Virgil Conway's announcement to the Rockland Business Association two months ago that West Shore passenger service is "dead as an option."

The MTA representative refused to answer questions about paying for rail in the Tappan Zee corridor, claiming that the matter is for Governor Pataki's I-287 Task Force to figure out, not for the MTA to discuss. Yet last month, the Thruway Authority said in letters that rail line funding issuequestions should be referred to the MTA, "since they could best respond to inquiries on rail links including financing."

After the fourth major public meeting this year with Thruway Authority officials, Hudson Valley residents still have no solid answers as to how or whether an east-west rail would be funded, and whether the bridge really needs to be replaced.

Governor Pataki's Hudson Valley aide did not take questions, but spoke briefly, "The Governor wants you to know that he has received your many letters postcards and calls, and he is aware of your concerns."

 



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