Majority Leader /*Dean Skelos*/ and Transportation Chairman /*Chuck Fuschillo*/, both /*Long Island*/ Republicans, toured the bridge by boat Tuesday on the /*Hudson River*/.
Then they joined Westchester County Executive /*Rob Astorino*/ in urging that a new bridge be a state priority.
Skelos said the state of disrepair is evident at the overcrowded, 56-year-old bridge between Westchester and Rockland counties. He said it must be replaced for safety, environmental and economic reasons.
Fuschillo said he hopes funding will come from a public-private partnership. State agencies estimated three years ago that a new bridge, with an express bus system, would cost $9.3 billion. Adding commuter rail would bring the cost to $16 billion.
