Bills Introduced To Restore Tappan Zee Name To New Bridge

Few refer to the new Tappan Zee Bridge by its official name of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, just as few called the old bridge by its designated name, the Malcolm Wilson Bridge, honoring another former New York governor.

Two bills are aimed at changing the name of the Mario Cuomo Bridge.
Photo Credit: *Save Our Tappan Zee Inc.*

Kathy Reakes

05/19/2018 12:00 p.m.

Poll

Final Results Voting Closed

Do you think the new Tappan Zee Bridge should be named in honor of the late NY Gov. Mario Cuomo?

Absolutely
6%
Absolutely not
70%
Not sure
2%
The new bridge shouldn't be named after any person
21%

Now, two bills are moving through the state Assembly and Senate to nix any uncertainty.

In effect, the bills say what most already do: it's the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, R-Brewster, the sponsor of the Assembly bill, amended his bill last month to mirror a Senate version sponsored by John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse.

"The future of my Assembly bill depends on the Assembly Majority and Gov. Cuomo," said Byrne. "Hopefully they support a legislative compromise that will honor Governor Mario Cuomo and respect the wishes of the over 100,000 people who signed the petition to keep the Tappan Zee name."

Local sponsors of the bills and the founders of Save Our Tappan Zee Inc. are hoping the bills will make it to the Assembly and Senate floor for a vote before the summer recess.

"Some people might be sitting around mad about the name change," said Christopher McMormick, secretary of Save Our Tappan Zee Inc. "But they can take action and have their voices heard by calling their representative or by joining our movement and signing the petition."

More than 100,000 residents have signed the organization's petition since Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mario Cuomo's son, pushed through the change last year.

Any bills approved by the Assembly and Senate have to be approved by Cuomo.

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