Two environmental groups have agreed to support the new Tappan Zee Bridge project after winning concessions from New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that the state has issued an environmental permit for the $3.9 billion project after reaching agreement with Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson.
The groups had pushed for enhancements to the protections that were already planned for the bridge between Rockland and Westchester counties. Those included bubble "curtains" to shield fish from the noise of pile driving, and limited dredging to avoid peak migration and spawning.
Riverkeeper said environmental groups will now get a role in monitoring construction. The state will increase a fund that will be used to repair environmental damage.
Cuomo called the groups' support "a critical step forward" for the project.
