Claire P, flickr
The governor says the loan means tolls on the bridge will be "below all prior projections."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York is close to receiving a $1.5 billion federal loan to help build the new Tappan Zee Bridge.
The state had been hoping for as much as $2 billion toward the $3.9 billion span in the New York City suburbs.
But the governor said Friday the loan means tolls on the bridge will be "below all prior projections." One projection had entailed a $14 toll.
A bigger federal loan, with guaranteed low interest rates, would mean less pressure to raise tolls to pay back higher-interest bonds.
Cuomo says the state is still seeking options to keep tolls low.
He said the federal loan can't be finalized until the U.S. Transportation Department completes a credit review.
Up to 170,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day.
