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Construction-Related Lane Closures Suspended Over Holiday Weekend Drivers First Program Aims to Ease Congestion
Press Release November 21, 2017 No Comments

Construction-Related Lane Closures Suspended Over Holiday Weekend Drivers First Program Aims to Ease Congestion

November 21, 2017

In accordance with Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First program, no construction-related lane closures are scheduled on or near the New NY Bridge project site from 6 a.m. Wed., Nov. 22, to 6 a.m. Mon., Nov. 27. Certain maintenance, safety and security work will continue during the holiday weekend.

The Drivers First program prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. During this busy travel weekend, motorists are reminded of New York’s critically important “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to use due care, slow down and safely move over when they see flashing lights on the side of the road.

“This Thanksgiving weekend, thousands of families from across New York will travel near and far to visit loved ones and by suspending construction-related lane closures, we can help ensure they can get to their destinations as quickly as possible and without unnecessary delay,” Governor Cuomo said. “I urge all motorists to drive safely and responsibly as they celebrate Thanksgiving this year and to remember to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles with flashing lights along the roadway.”

Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, “The Thruway is one of the safest superhighways in the nation, and we want all our travelers to arrive at their Thanksgiving destination safely. Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First program helps ease the added congestion during this busy holiday travel weekend by limiting construction work and allowing people to travel more efficiently with fewer delays. While on the road, motorists can also stop at one of the Thruway’s 27 service areas located across New York to take a break, have a cup of coffee or a meal and fill up on gas, before safely continuing their journey.”

Tappan Zee Constructors is scheduled to continue work on the second span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge as well as the new State Police Facility and Thruway Authority maintenance facility in Tarrytown this week. Operations are will occur behind permanent concrete barriers and will not impact traffic on the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287).

Additional work includes:

  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Pier substructure work
  • Expansion joint operations
  • Internal tower work
  • Maintenance dock construction
  • Electrical equipment installation and testing
  • Landscaping near bridge landings

Boater Safety
Expect periodic closures of the main navigation channel due to on-going construction and extensive demolition activities. Cranes, barges and other equipment will occupy parts of the channel during this time. Boaters are strongly encouraged to avoid the project site during the closures and to avoid the Regulated Navigation Areas, located east and west of the main channel.

Times and dates of the closures are subject to change and will appear in the U.S. Coast Guard’s weekly Notice to Mariners; on the project’s Twitter feed (@NewNYBridge); and broadcast on Marine Radio Channel 22A. Tappan Zee Constructors can be contacted via Marine Radio Channel 16 for assistance.

Rockland and Westchester marine units continue to patrol the project site.

More boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, a construction site map and GPS-tracked construction vessel locations, can be found at NewNYBridge.com/Boater.

The New York State Thruway Authority provides this information as a public service. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Nothing in these guidelines shall supersede the actual construction conditions, and regulations set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit https://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/ for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.