Bridge’s name is now a stain

Renaming the Tappan Zee Bridge for his late father, Mario, was one of Gov. Cuomo’s proudest achievements.

Now, in the wake of his resignation Tuesday amid sexual harassment allegations, many are asking if the famous span should have the Cuomo name scrubbed off.

As recently as this week, lawmakers and residents were calling for the $4 billion bridge — officially named the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge after the former governor — to have its original name reinstated.

They argued the bridge should not be tainted with the Cuomo name after the scathing state attorney general report that accused the governor of sexual harassment.

The bridge was officially renamed after former Gov. Mario Cuomo via a state law passed back in 2017, when an insistent Andrew Cuomo cut a deal with lawmakers. That means any future name changes can only occur if lawmakers repeal it.

Assemblyman Mike Lawler introduced legislation last week calling for the bridge to have its previous name restored.

“I urge each and every one of my colleagues in the Assembly to back this piece of legislation that will remove the stain of Andrew Cuomo’s name from the Tappan Zee Bridge,” Lawler said in a statement.

“No one should have to drive over one of the finest pieces of architecture in our state and be reminded of the unforgivable sins of our governor,” he added.

The bridge is considered one of Cuomo’s major achievements during his stint as governor but it has long been shrouded in controversy.

A series of petitions started by local residents has circulated over the years begging lawmakers to change the bridge’s name back to Tappan Zee. One petition garnered nearly 166,000 signatures.

Those residents argued that the previous name was historic — given that “Tappan” referred to a Native American group that lived nearby and “Zee” is Dutch for sea.