The Tappan Zee Bridge in New York has been the subject of controversy due to its spelling. The correct pronunciation is [tæpən zi], but the spelling is often confused as "Tappen Zee" or "Tappenzee". The name comes from Tappan, a Native American tribe, and the Dutch word zee, meaning "sea". The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the "A" in Tappan is pronounced as "æ" (the sound in "cat") and the "ee" in Zee is pronounced as "i" (the sound in "bee").
The Tappan Zee Bridge refers to a former bridge spanning the Hudson River in the southeastern part of New York state, connecting the counties of Rockland and Westchester. Completed in 1955, it was officially known as the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge, named after a former governor of the state. The bridge served as a vital transportation link, carrying the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87 and Interstate 287) over the river. It was a cantilever bridge, consisting of steel trusswork supported by piers in the water. The Tappan Zee Bridge was a prominent landmark in the region, showcasing an elegant design and facilitating the flow of vehicular traffic across the river.
However, due to increasing maintenance costs, inadequate capacity to handle the growing traffic load, and concerns about structural integrity, plans were made to replace the bridge. In October 2017, the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge was opened adjacent to the original Tappan Zee Bridge. The old bridge, having served its purpose for over six decades, was subsequently dismantled. The Tappan Zee Bridge holds historical significance and its replacement reflects the constant need for modernization and improvement of infrastructure.