Gov. Andrew Cuomo was on a boat tour of the Hudson River Tuesday to watch as the first parts of the old Tappan Zee Bridge were removed from the water.
           
The removal brings the new $4 billion Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge one step closer to be being fully completed under budget and on time, according to the governor.

During the removal, crews took down the 500-foot-long, 10 million-pound center span.

Officials say crews will then remove the four other span pieces, one by one, in a process that will take several months.

The old bridge parts will be carted down the river and recycled or taken to be used in another major state infrastructure project.

"The parts that can't be recycled will go to being an artificial reef off Long Island. So the Tappan Zee will live and still be serving the state," said Cuomo.

Officials say the old Tappan Zee should be completely out of the area in a few months.

At the same time, crews are also working to finish the eastbound span of the new bridge.

Cuomo says the project should be wrapped up by the end of the year.