Tappan Zee has more lanes

THE

new eastbound span of the $3.98 billion Tappan Zee Bridge will open to traffic by Saturday, Gov.

Cuomo revealed during a Tuesday afternoon boat ride on the Hudson River.

The governor shed his blazer before boarding a tugboat overflowing with reporters who were hoping to catch both a breeze and some news.

After a somewhat cooling ride under, and in the shadows of, the new double-span bridge and the remnants of the old one, we boarded buses on the Rockland County side and were brought to mid-span.

He talked of spans and piers and, posed in front of a cable cutaway, pointed to the LED lights, whose colors are decided by “an operator.” Cuomo also proudly noted that the falcons had transferred to their new nest on the southern tower, which is closest to the Westchester County side.

A formal dedication will likely happen on Friday, weather and construction permitting.

Cuomo also revealed that he will take the first drive over the new span in a vehicle once used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Tolls will remain in place until 2020, Cuomo said, noting that every area bridge is owned by different authorities with different tolls and financing situations. But the looming paybacks for bonds that funded the construction could send tolls skyward, and no one wants that, especially in a presidential election year. Stay tuned.