Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Thruway Authority want to take $511 million meant for clean-water projects and use it to help finance the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
New York has an urgent and ever growing need for public investment in clean water infrastructure.
So how could a massive bridge construction and demolition project possibly be deemed eligible for such funding, and how would these projects improve water quality?
The short answer is: It does not. Raiding dedicated clean water funds to support a bridge construction would set a dangerous precedent that could jeopardize future fund allocations that are desperately needed to rebuild the crumbling water infrastructure.
New York is facing a crisis. With aging and insufficient water infrastructure that will require an estimated $57 billion of investment in New York over the next 20 years
The Hudson River and many of its tributaries have been shown to be contaminated by sewage overflows attributable to insufficient or failing wastewater infrastructure. Surely this alone would be enough to ensure that fund should be directed towards Ney Yorks clean water infrastructure?
Governor Cuomo, in light of this looming water crisis, we the tax payer and elected leaders demand that you rethink the reallocation of funds meant for clean water projects, to the New York State Thruway Authority to build the new Tappan Zee Bridge. We cannot allow you to take money that is meant for our welfare, and not for dredging and bridge demolition.
