With New Bridge, Cuomo Declares 'Our Mojo Is Back'

New Yorkers familiar with the Tappan Zee Bridge will have to get used to a new name and a new bridge next door. The first span of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge opens on Friday.

In a glowing opening ceremony, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo praised the many people who contributed to making the bridge a reality. He began by acknowledging that it took a long time.

"We didn't believe we could do it. We had lost faith in our government and lost faith in our capacity and our credibility. We lost that daring and confidence that made New York, New York."

A ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new Mario Cuomo Bridge on Aug. 24, 2017. Four lanes will open on the first span, with the rest to follow in 2018.

(Stephen Nessen/WNYC) 

But then Cuomo pivoted, framing the bridge opening as an opportunity that represents New York's promise and persevering attitude.

"Today is different. It is undeniable and it is unarguable. That is yesterday and this is today. Today says that the New York blood still runs in our veins. We understand that New York was not a product of evolution. New York didn't just happen. We built it this way, we constructed it this way. It was our New York energy, our New York attitude, it was our New York drive that made it happen," said Cuomo.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new Mario Cuomo Bridge on August 24, 2017. Four lanes will open on the first span, with the rest to follow in 2018.

(Stephen Nessen/WNYC) 

As the speech went on, Cuomo expanded on his admiration and zeal for the bridge.

"Indeed, our goal was to build a bridge that was artwork and I believe we did. When you look at the bridge from a distance, it has an elegant blue line that stretches three miles with a gentle rise and slope curves and bends that mirrors the movement of the mighty Hudson herself. And in the middle stand four towers, 419 feet from the water reaching up to the sky pointing up, echoing our state motto: Excelsior, ever upwards, reminding us that the motto of this state says reach even higher. Those towers also bring to mind the sentiment of one of my father's favorite quotes by E.B. White: "New York is to the nation what the white church spire is to the village - the visible symbol of aspiration and faith, the white plumes saying the way is up."

Some New Yorkers reacted on Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/uZyMnejVq0

— Nicholas Russo (@clickonnick) August 24, 2017

The bridge was paid for in part through a $1.6 billion federal grant under the Obama Administration, as well as $2 billion of bank settlements to New York State and $850 million in bonds from the New York Thruway Authority. Cuomo insists that tolls will not increase on the bridge until 2020, but has yet to say how much tolls will be raised.

WNYC's Stephen Nessen told All Things Considered host Sean Carlson that west bound traffic will switch from the Tappan Zee to the Mario Cuomo Bridge on Friday night, and in a few weeks the bridge will begin to share two lanes with east bound traffic. The second span of the bridge will not be open until sometime next year.