Upper Grandview Residents Say New Plan For Tappan Zee Sound Wall Will Spoil Their Views

UPPER GRANDVIEW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A group of residents in Upper Grandview, Rockland County are not happy at all about the way a part of the new Tappan Zee Bridge construction project could change their neighborhood.

As CBS2's Meg Baker reported, the residents said new plans for a sound wall could affect their view.

The Upper Grandview homeowners said they chose to live in South Nyack specifically for the landscape – with sweeping views of the Hudson River.

"One of the great points of the house is I can look at my kitchen window and see the sun rise reflecting off the Hudson River every morning," resident Eric Strober told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.

"The view from my patio, as well as inside, is just breathtaking," added Michelle Srebnik. "But it's something I'm in jeopardy of losing."

Srebnik bought her home in 2013, and checked with the state on plans to build a soundproof wall shielding homes from the traffic noise coming from the new and expanded Tappan Zee Bridge. Strober said bridge officials had claimed an 18-foot noise barrier would be measured from the access road below.

But two years later, residents said the plans that would have saved their view had changed drastrically.

"Now that they're measuring the 18 feet essentially from this road level, it's a much different proposed wall," Strober said.

"Trees were pulled out, and then we were told that that is where the wall is going to go – much closer, much higher," added Srebnik.

Residents on Ferris Lane said they approved a sound barrier, but one that would be no longer than a construction fence now in place. They said they were also told the wall would be at the bottom of a berm on Route 287.

"What we were presented with only few weeks ago was much different, much bigger, much closer than what was initially designed," Strober said.

It seems this summer, project managers changed plans – using a crane bucket to demonstrate that the height of the wall would be double what was promised.

If a bigger wall were installed where the construction fence is now, residents would only be able to see the top two floors of the brick condo building across the way, and would have no water views.

"I'm losing my complete view -- the mountains, the river, the bridge," said Veronica Cahill.

New York State Thruway Executive Director Bob Megna said "the barriers design, including their height and noise reduction level, is currently undergoing a final review to optimize its effectiveness."

But overall, residents said there has to be a balance to save the view and lower noise levels.