1st span of Tappan Zee replacement to open Aug. 25

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge will open on August 25, 2017, when westbound traffic will begin moving onto the first span.

The new $4 billion bridge is one of the biggest bridge projects in the nation and the largest in New York State Thruway authority history. The project is on budget and will be completed on time.

The second step of moving eastbound traffic to the new span will begin later this fall.

As pleased as many drivers are about the bridge's progress, they are concerned about the toll price going up. Right now the cash toll price is $5. New York E-ZPass users pay $4.75. Cuomo said that the tolls are frozen through 2020.

The new bridge will be fully open in 2018. It will officially be named the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in honor of the governor's late father, who served for 12 years.

The bridge spans the Hudson River and connects Rockland and Westchester counties.