The New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA) is suing Tappan Zee Constructors over issues with stay cables on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, a major infrastructure project completed in 2018. NYSTA’s lawsuit, filed on August 22 in the state Supreme Court, accuses the contractor of failing to meet design specifications and contract requirements for the stay cables, which are critical components that support the bridge’s main span. The Thruway Authority is seeking at least $6 million in damages for the alleged deficiencies.
According to the complaint, Tappan Zee Constructors did not correct work deemed unacceptable by NYSTA’s project director and failed to ensure the stay cables adhered to the design plans. The issues reportedly involve 61 of 192 anchor pipes, which are essential for connecting the stay cables to the bridge’s support structure. This non-compliance has prompted NYSTA to demand remediation and compensation for the costs associated with evaluating and addressing the problems.
NY Thruway Authority Sues Tappan Zee Constructors Over Stay Cable Issues on Cuomo Bridge
NYSTA has publicly stated that the dispute centers around material compliance of the stay cable anchorage components. While Tappan Zee Constructors disputes these claims and has refused to take corrective action, NYSTA has moved forward with a lawsuit to recover costs related to the remediation of these components. Despite the legal conflict, the Thruway Authority reassures the public that independent experts have confirmed the bridge’s safety and that retrofitting is already underway.
The lawsuit involves Tappan Zee Constructors, a consortium comprising Fluor Enterprises Inc., American Bridge Company, Granite Construction Northeast Inc., and Traylor Bros. Inc. As of the latest court records, the defendants have not yet secured legal representation. This case adds another layer to the complex history of the bridge project, which involved multiple contractors and significant public investment.
The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which replaced the old Tappan Zee Bridge, spans nearly 5 miles and features eight lanes plus two dedicated bus lanes. The original Tappan Zee Bridge, a seven-lane structure built in 1955, was dismantled in 2019. Construction on the new bridge began in 2013, aiming to address the limitations of its predecessor and improve infrastructure over the Hudson River.
