TARRYTOWN - It has been a long time coming, but on Monday at 2 p.m., the bike-and-pedestrian path on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will be open for traffic.
Late Sunday, Thruway spokeswoman Jennifer Givner confirmed that the "shared-use path" will be open from both shores at that hour, ending more than a year of "whens" and "why-not-yets" for onlookers eager to travel the 3.6-mile path linking Tarrytown and South Nyack.
The path, a bright-blue ribbon on the northern edge of the Rockland-bound span, has six scenic overlooks giving intrepid bridge walkers and riders commanding views of the Hudson, alongside four lanes of truck and car traffic heading north on the Thruway.
Earlier Sunday, in Albany, saw a classic Cuomo answer-non-answer, confirmation without confirming.
At the end of Sunday's daily briefing, when USA TODAY Network New York Albany reporter Jon Campbell asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo if he could confirm that the path would open Monday and if he would be there for the ribbon-cutting, the governor smiled and paused.
"You'll have to see tomorrow," the governor deadpanned.
Campbell then pointed out that Monday is the 88th birthday of his father, the bridge's namesake.
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"It is," Cuomo replied.
"Is there a ribbon-cutting tomorrow on the bike path?" Campbell asked again.
"You'll have to see tomorrow," Cuomo repeated coyly, adding: "But if I were you, I would get on my bike and start riding now ... south."
Moments later, his briefing over, Cuomo strode out, ad-libbing: "I'll see you tomorrow. You know where."
"Where" could be Tarrytown or South Nyack. But Givner's announcement suggests that it will be one of those two.
Givner would not say when the ribbon-cutting might occur, but it is safe to surmise that the governor, accustomed to daily coronavirus briefings, might find a way to combine a briefing, a ribbon-cutting and a birthday wish for his father.
Dan Convissor, the Bike Tarrytown director who has been pushing Albany to make sure the path is safe, said on Friday said the state had fallen short on several safety aspects regarding the path, including crosswalks, requirements that cyclists stop along the bridge, and that they dismount at the end of the 3.6-mile path.
He also blasted the posted operating hours for the path — 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. — as falling short of the round-the-clock ideal that would make the path a fully functioning commuting option.
What to expect
For years, cyclists and hikers have been expecting the opening of the bike-and-pedestrian path on the bridge between Tarrytown and South Nyack. Signs posted at the path now tell users "what to expect" when they finally get out there over the Hudson on a bridge path that has its own slogan: "Connect with nature. With art. With people. Find your own path."
It also has a new URL — https://ift.tt/2zvYT6Y — which, inexplicably, asks for a user name and a password.
Thruway Authority spokeswoman Jennifer Givner would not comment on the timing of the path's opening. For years, the Thruway has been keeping its rules for the path under tight wraps. Now, signs at both ends of the path spell out what is permitted and what isn't.
In a nutshell, the path will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and users are advised to leave their pets, drones, fishing poles, cigarettes and motorized vehicles at home.
And cyclists should keep an eye on their speed: The posted speed limit is 15 mph.
Which types of "motorized vehicles" are banned is not specified. While a scooter is pictured on the signs, the use of pedal-assisted e-bikes has been sought for years in the run-up to tomorrow's expected path opening. The Thruway has offered no elaboration, despite repeated inquiries.
"Recently adopted state law says that e-bikes are considered bicycles, and should be allowed" on the path, Convissor said Sunday. He said e-bikes are not "motorized vehicles."
What you can't do on the Cuomo Bridge path
- Litter;
- Fish;
- Throw objects;
- Fly drones or kites;
- Walk dogs (except service animals);
- Drive motorized vehicles;
- Smoke;
- Climb:
- Skateboard.
What cyclists are expected to do on the Cuomo Bridge path
- Observe 15 mph speed limit;
- Use bike helmets;
- Use audible warnings;
- Yield to pedestrians.
Bikes can be parked at several spots on each landing, where food trucks are expected to set up shop. In Tarrytown, Sleek Ebikes will set up a bike-rental kiosk, owner Ed Busk said last week.
Pathgoers are advised to dress for wind, rain, sun and changing temperatures. "All feel more intense out over the water," the signs suggest. They're also warned that bridges vibrate. "This is normal," the signs read. "There is a highway next to you after all."
The signs also let them know there are restrooms at both ends of the bridge, but not on the path itself. And that the path is under video surveillance by State Police.
The six scenic overlooks, called "belvederes," will have seating and WiFi.
USA TODAY Network Albany reporter Jon Campbell contributed to this report.
Peter D. Kramer is a 32-year staffer at The Journal News. He can be reached at pkramer@lohud.com or on Twitter at @PeterKramer. Read his latest stories. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.
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