WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) The New York state Thruway Authority is requesting a federal loan of up to $2.9 billion to help build a new Tappan Zee Bridge.

That’s as much as $900,000 more than the state requested previously — when it was turned down.

But Gov. Mario Cuomo has expressed confidence that the loan will be approved. The Thruway Authority on Sept. 7 sent the U.S. Transportation Department a 175-page report detailing the need for a new bridge.

The loan request is for $2.4 billion to $2.9 billion. The project is estimated to cost more than $5 billion. Executive Director Thomas J. Madison said the authority was asking for the maximum it could receive.

Bonds backed by tolls are another likely source of construction money. Cuomo recently said a proposed $14 toll is too high.