What's happening
This bill designates the Tappan Zee Bridge as "The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge" in a ceremonial capacity without changing its official name.
Why it matters
Honors Pete Seeger's legacy and local cultural impact. by publicly associating his name with a major New York infrastructure, emphasizing the role of artists and activists in regional and state history.
Preserves the bridge's official designation for legal, navigational, and commercial purposes. , ensuring there is no confusion for mapping, emergency services, or commerce while still allowing for commemorative recognition.
Requires the state to install and maintain signage. reflecting the ceremonial name, which means visible acknowledgment for residents and travelers, fostering public awareness of Seeger's contributions.
Demonstrates a legislative approach to memorialization. that balances respect for tradition and legal clarity with the desire to celebrate influential figures, potentially setting a precedent for similar honors in the future.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Rename Bridge for Pete Seeger
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1688
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to designating "The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge" as "The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 356 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 530 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
2. The Hudson section. Beginning at the northerly end of the southern Westchester connection at or near Tuckahoe road, thence in a general northerly and westerly direction crossing the Hudson river at a point south of Highland Falls, which crossing shall be known as ["The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge"] "The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge", including a highway connection between ["The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge"] "The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge" and the New England section of the thruway presently known as interstate route two hundred eighty-seven, thence in a general westerly direction to intersect with existing route number seventeen or to a connection with that route, including a thruway connection from that portion of the section west of the Hudson river, generally southerly to a point to be determined by the authority on the New York-New Jersey boundary line.
§ 2. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signage of the state highway system as designated pursuant to section one of this act; provided that, to avoid any confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the designations called for pursuant to section one of this act shall be of ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway and bridge shall not be changed as a result of this act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01226-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to designating "The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge" as "The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge"
Purpose
To designate "The Governor Malcom Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge" as " The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge."
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends subdivision 2 of section 356 of the public authorities law, known as "The Hudson section," by replacing "The Governor Malcom Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge" with "The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge."
Section 2 of this bill require the commissioner of transportation to provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signage of the state highway system as designated pursuant to section one of this act.
Section 3 of this bill states that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
Folk singer, Pete Seeger, who died on January 27, 2014 at the age of 94, was also a world-class environmentalist and devoted to protecting the Hudson River. As a lifelong resident of New York State, he led the fight for a cleaner river and made the region a better place to live. Seeger's efforts lead to a significantly cleaner river that now can support swimming in many of the formerly polluted areas. Since his death, New York State residents have pushed to honor his legacy by naming The Tappan Zee Bridge after him. An online petition started by Bill Swersey to the Governor, Senate, and Assembly received over 15,000 signatures in 2014. This bill responds to their request by formerly designating The Tappan Zee Bridge and The Pete Seeger Memorial Bridge.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.