kids encyclopedia robot

Tappan Zee Bridge facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge
TappanZeeBridgeFromBelow.JPG
The Tappan Zee Bridge as seen from Tarrytown, 2007
Coordinates 41°04′12″N 73°53′28″W / 41.07000°N 73.89111°W / 41.07000; -73.89111
Carries 7 lanes (3 northbound/westbound, 3 southbound/eastbound, 1 reversible) of I-87 / I-287 / New York Thruway
Crosses Hudson River
Locale Connecting Grand View-on-Hudson, Rockland County, New York and Tarrytown, Westchester County, New York in the Lower Hudson Valley
Official name Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge
Maintained by New York State Thruway Authority
Characteristics
Design Cantilever bridge
Total length 16,013 feet (4,881 m; 3 mi)
Width 90 feet (27 m)
Longest span 1,212 feet (369 m)
Clearance below 138 feet (42 m)
History
Opened December 14, 1955
Closed October 6, 2017
Statistics
Daily traffic 134,947 (2010)

The Tappan Zee Bridge is a bridge in lower New York. It is three miles long. It goes across the Hudson River. It connects Westchester and Rockland Counties. The bridge opened in 1955. It took traffic from other bridges and ferries in the area. The bridge is about 25 miles north of New York City. The city can be seen from the bridge on a clear day. The bridge carries seven lanes of the New York State Thruway.

The bridge is named for a Native American tribe from the area called the "Tappan". Zee is the Dutch word for "sea", as the bridge crosses water.

At the beginning of the 21st century the bridge was old and too small for the traffic. People in the region argued for years for a new bridge, which replaced the old one in 2017.

Construction of new bridge

In 2013, the New York State Thruway Authority began building the New Tappan Zee Bridge. It will be a double-span bridge (four lanes per span in opposite directions) with designated bus lanes. The new bridge is planned to be ready to open in 2018.

Tappan Zee Bridge - Hudson River
The superstructure was constructed during a period of material shortages during the Korean War.
kids search engine
Tappan Zee Bridge Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.