The I Lift NY super crane began the last leg of its journey this week, completing its passage through the Panama Canal on Jan. 17 and making its way up the eastern seaboard.
Updated information about I Lift NY’s journey, including photos and video, is available at NewNYBridge.com.
The super crane’s voyage began on Dec. 22, and early next month it is expected to arrive in the Port of New York & New Jersey; it will remain docked in the area until it’s brought to the site of the New NY Bridge project this spring. Recently nicknamed I Lift NY, the crane is owned by Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC), and is officially registered with the U.S. Coast Guard as the Left Coast Lifter.
Severe winter weather and icy conditions have resulted in the suspension of TZC’s marine operations for safety purposes. Work will resume on the river once temperatures rise and icy conditions allow for safe operations. During the suspension, TZC will maintain a safety crew that will monitor the weather’s impact on the site, reassessing conditions daily. Land-based operations will continue on both the Rockland and Westchester approaches.
Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge weather permitting. Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.
The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) – 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a modified permit for new temporary mooring locations during construction of the new bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information and the modified mooring permit map can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.
Ongoing Operations:
- Rockland access ramp modifications
- Armoring of dredge channel
- River Road utility work
- Test pile program
- Permanent pile installation
- Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Survey inspections on existing bridge
- Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
- Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard
