The first of two floating batch plants arrived on the project site this week, and has begun producing high-strength concrete for construction operations. The floating plants will supply a majority of the new bridge’s concrete on the river, without the use of local roads. With reduced environmental impact and less project construction traffic on local roads, these state-of-the-art floating batch plants are crucial to the efficient construction of the New NY Bridge.
The New NY Bridge environmental monitoring system recently alerted the project team of higher than expected noise levels near the Rockland County landing of the new bridge. These levels were registered at the onset of sheet pile installation, and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has taken steps to reduce these levels going forward.
The sheet piles, some measuring over 50 feet long, interlock to support the existing roadway during the excavation to prepare for the construction of abutments on the landing. A large crane with a vibratory pile hammer installs the sheets, and is positioned behind a temporary concrete barrier in South Nyack. TZC determined that the higher than expected noise levels were caused by metal on metal contact between the sheet piles and the installation templates.
To reduce noise levels, the team has installed sound absorptive material inside the templates, which help guide the sheet piles. In addition, TZC has modified the hanger support system. Although not required per design, this will reduce rattling as well as noise/vibration related to this activity. These two actions reduced noise levels by approximately 10 decibels.
Nighttime electrical work on the Tappan Zee Bridge will continue the week of July 21. The bridge will remain open to traffic during the nighttime operations. However, the work will require overnight closures of two northbound lanes across the bridge.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of five knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.
More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.
Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are illuminated at night as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.
Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews continue the installation of the foundations for the New NY Bridge. Work will include pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.
A second shift of workers will also continue pile welding operations associated with permanent foundations.
Work will also continue on the Rockland temporary work trestle near the county shorelines, including pile driving to install the temporary foundations needed to support the platform. The trestles will support cranes for the construction of the western-most section of the new bridge.
| Monday | July 21 | Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Monday | July 21 | Northbound, Left and Middle Lane of the Tappan Zee Bridge | 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Tuesday | July 22 | Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Tuesday | July 22 | Northbound, Left and Middle Lane of the Tappan Zee Bridge | 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Wednesday | July 23 | Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Wednesday | July 23 | Northbound, Right Lane of the Tappan Zee Bridge | 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Thursday | July 24 | Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Thursday | July 24 | Northbound, Left and Middle Lane of the Tappan Zee Bridge | 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Friday | July 25 | Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| Friday | July 25 | Northbound, Right and Middle Lane of the Tappan Zee Bridge | 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
Ongoing Operations:
- Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
- Pile Cap foundation construction
- Rockland Landing construction
- Westchester Landing construction
- River Road utility work
- Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
- Survey inspections on existing bridge
- Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
