State Senator James Skoufis (D-Cornwall) has reintroduced a bill that would restore the Tappan Zee name to the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge that spans the Hudson River between Rockland and Westchester Counties. The reintroduction is particularly significant in that this is the first time the bill has been supported by a Democrat in the senate chamber, and the move significantly increases the possibility of the proposal becoming law. Democrats currently enjoy a majority in both the State Senate and State Assembly.

Originally introduced in 2021 by former State Senator Mike Martucci, a Republican, the bill failed to advance in the Senate, which is typical for a measure introduced by a Republican in a chamber controlled by a supermajority of Democrats.

“Everyone in the Hudson Valley still calls the bridge the Tappan Zee for a reason: It’s the rightful name,” said Skoufis. “I’m grateful to the previous sponsors for laying the bill’s groundwork and I look forward to championing this moving forward.”

The original Tappan Zee bridge was built in 1955 and stood until 2017 when it was replaced.