• Governor Pataki first announced plans to build a new bridge replacing the Tappan Zee in 1999. In the decade following that announcement, the state held 430 public meetings, explored 150 concepts and spent $88 million but never finalized a plan for a new bridge.
• Since taking office in January 2011, Governor Cuomo has made the new bridge project a priority
• October 2011 – Following request from Governor Cuomo, President Obama fast tracks the review process, while incorporating the past decades of study
• December 2011 – Governor signs design-build legislation into law, cutting the bureaucratic process in half and having bidders selected on the basis of "best value", combining overall quality of technical, environmental, and bridge features with price
• January 2012 – Draft Environmental Impact Statement published
• July 2012 – Three bids submitted for new bridge contract
• September 2012 – Federal agencies approve Final Environmental Impact Statement
• September 2012 – Selection Review Team appointed to review three submitted bids: http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/09192012Tappan-Zee-Project
• December 2012 – Preview of thee  bridge proposal designs and prices presented to the public: http://www.newnybridge.com/thruwaybridgedesignpresentation.pdf
• December 17, 2012 – Thruway Board makes final decision on bridge proposal
• Early 2013 – Construction on new bridge to begin

SOURCE Howard P. Milstein