BILL NUMBER: S5172
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, the environmental conserva-
tion law and the highway law, in relation to renaming the Governor Mario
M. Cuomo bridge the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee bridge
 
PURPOSE:
To revert the name of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the Governor
Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee bridge
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 2, section 356 of the public authorities
law to update the description of the Hudson section of the Thruway. It
begins at Tuckahoe Road in southern Westchester and extends north and
west, crossing the Hudson River south of Highland Falls via "The Gover-
nor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge." The section includes a highway
connection between the bridge and I-287, continuing west to intersect
with Route 17 or connect to it. Additionally, it provides for a Thruway
connection extending south to the New York-New Jersey border.
Section 2: Amends section 13-0103 of the environmental conservation law,
the Marine and Coastal District includes the waters of the Atlantic
Ocean within three nautical miles of the coastline and all tidal waters
within New York State. It extends up the Hudson River to the Governor
Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge.
Section 3: Amends subdivision 1, section 13-0307 of the environmental
conservation law, to require that the department will periodically
inspect all shellfish lands within the Marine District and the Hudson
River between the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge and the
federal dam at Troy. These inspections will assess sanitary conditions
in accordance with regulations under Section 13-0319.
Section 4: Amends section 342-ww of the highway law to require a portion
of the New York State Thruway in Rockland County, from the New Jersey
border to the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge, to be desig-
nated as the "Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway."
Section 5: Amends subdivision 2 of section 349-a of the highway law, to
require the Hudson section of the Thruway to begin near Tuckahoe Road in
southern Westchester, which extends north and west, crossing the Hudson
River at "The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee Bridge." It continues
west to intersect with Route 17 or connect to it and includes a Thruway
connection south to the New York-New Jersey border.
Section 6: Directs the commissioner of transportation to provide for the
installation and maintenance of proper signage for the state highway
system as designated by this act.
Section 7: Sets Effective Date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The name "Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge" does not adequately reflect the
rich Dutch and Native American history deeply connected to Hudson Valley
residents. Restoring the name to the "Governor Mario M. Cuomo Tappan Zee
Bridge" honors the region's cultural heritage, where names such as
Tappan Zee High School serve as enduring reminders of our shared histo-
ry. The term "Tappan Zee" originates from the Tappan tribe. These Lenape
people once inhabited much of the area, and the Dutch word for "sea"
reflects the early Dutch settlement of the Hudson Valley in the 17th
century. This name is woven into New York and New Jersey communities,
including Old Tappan in Bergen County and Rockland County. Restoring the
historical name is a meaningful and appropriate step in preserving and
acknowledging the region's diverse heritage.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2021: S7323, Referred to Rules
2022: S7323, Referred to Transportation
2023: S4558A, Passed Senate
2024: S4558A, Referred to Transportation
Assembly
2021: A6594, Referred to Transportation
2022: A6594, Held for Consideration in Transportation
2023: A4588A, Amend and Recommit to Transportation
2024: A4588A, Referred to Transportation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

Statutes affected:
S5172: 356 public authorities law, 356(2) public authorities law, 13-0103 environmental conservation law, 342-ww highway law, 349-a highway law, 349-a(2) highway law