Metro

Gov. Cuomo unveils leading contender for Tappan Zee Bridge replacement

The leading contender to replace the aging Tappan Zee Bridge is a futuristic, $3.142 billion design that came in over one billion dollars under budget.

Gov. Cuomo unveiled the bridge — which was selected as the best choice by his Tappan Zee replacement committee — at a cabinet meeting this afternoon along with two other proposals.

Not only was the selection committee’s top choice the cheapest option of the three, it also was the quickest, with a construction time of five years and two and a half months.

Another design — which looked similar to the Golden Gate Bridge — cost $3.99 billion and a completion date of just under six years.

SEE ALL THREE PROPOSALS HERE

The most expensive option cost $4.059 billion. That bridge would likely take five years and 11 months.

Another $600 to $800 million is expected to be added to the cost of whatever bridge is chosen for extra costs, like project management, contingencies, and oversight.

The expected cost to replace the Tappan Zee had been pegged at $5.2 billion, far more than any of the estimated.

The Thruway Authorority’s board will vote on Dec. 17 on the final design.

jennifer.fermino@nypost.com