PEARL RIVER, NY – Assemblyman Mike Lawler whose district includes portions of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo/ Tappan Zee Bridge, offered the following statement after signing onto a letter signed by all 43 members of the Assembly Minority Conference calling for an immediate safety inspection of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge:

“It’s clear after investigative reporting by the Albany Times Union that the Mario Cuomo Bridge needs to be inspected immediately. In order to ensure transparency and independent verification, I’m asking the federal government to step in and ensure the full safety and structural integrity of the bridge.”

“In speaking with the Executive Director of the Thruway Authority, Matthew Driscoll, and the chief engineer on the project, they strenuously denied the allegations laid bare in the Albany Times Union report and reassured me, as well as several of my colleagues, that the bridge was in fact safe and would not have been opened if it wasn’t. I appreciate their candor and ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of the bridge. However, as the old saying goes, trust but verify.”

“Simply put, we need more information that can only be brought to the forefront by US Inspector General Eric Soskin. I urge him to look into the claims that were raised in the Albany Times Union report and undertake an immediate federal safety inspection of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.”

Photo by Richard Killian.