Temporary lane closures are suspended through 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, to accommodate travelers during the busiest Thanksgiving travel days. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. The construction suspension supports Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.
New Yorkers are also reminded that state and local law enforcement will be participating in an impaired and distracted driving enforcement campaign from Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1. The enforcement and education campaign is designed to crack down on unsafe driving behaviors during the Thanksgiving holiday. State Police will supplement regular patrols, including fixed sobriety checkpoints, underage drinking enforcement and the “Operation Hang Up” initiative, which targets distracted drivers by utilizing Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement patrol vehicles to better locate drivers talking or texting on hand held devices. These unmarked vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
Electronic Signage Testing
Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is scheduled to conduct testing of the bridge’s electronic lane control signage next week, weather permitting. TZC will conduct tests on the southbound span during the overnights of Monday, Dec. 2, and Tuesday, Dec. 3. Testing on the northbound span is scheduled to occur on the nights of Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 6.
During the testing periods, which begin at 11 p.m. each night, State Police will temporarily hold traffic near the bridge in periodic, 20-minute increments. The traffic holds will allow TZC to safely test the directional signage on the bridge. After each traffic hold, State Police will allow traffic to clear the bridge before beginning the next 20-minute hold. Testing periods are scheduled to conclude by 5 a.m. on the southbound span and by 6 a.m. on the northbound span each weekday morning. Testing on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 7, is scheduled to conclude by 7 a.m.
The testing will also require multiple lane closures on nearby New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) traffic lanes. Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | CLOSURES END: | LOCATION: |
| Mon. 12/2 | 8 p.m. – Two right lanes | 5 a.m., Tues. 12/3 | Southbound (I-87/I-287) From exit 11 to exit 10 |
| Tues. 12/3 | 8 p.m. – Two right lanes | 5 a.m., Wed. 12/4 | Southbound From exit 11 to exit 10 |
| Wed. 12/4 | 9 p.m. – Two right lanes | 7 a.m., Thur. 12/5 | Northbound From exit 8 to exit 9 |
| Thur. 12/5 | 9 p.m. – Two right lanes | 7 a.m., Fri. 12/6 | Northbound From exit 8 to exit 9 |
| Fri. 12/6 | 10 p.m. – Two right lanes | 8 a.m., Sat. 12/7 | Northbound From exit 8 to exit 9 |
Bicycle/Pedestrian Path
Construction of the shared bicycle and pedestrian path continues.
On the bridge, TZC will continue to work on the northern side of the westbound span for the path’s overlooks.
At the Westchester Landing, construction continues at the storage building and visitor pavilion. Operations include landscaping, floor coating, pouring concrete, electrical wiring, rebar, ceiling systems, and glass. Additional flatwork for the shared bicycle/pedestrian side path is also taking place along Route 9.
At the Rockland Landing, construction continues along the side path and the path’s underpass at South Broadway.
Additional work includes:
- Installing fencing, striping, landscaping, drainage, and pouring concrete near bridge landings
- Area preparation at the New York State Thruway Maintenance and New York State Police facilities
- Dismantling of the old bridge’s foundations, weather permitting
- On-going testing of the bridge’s aesthetic lighting system
Boater Safety
Partial closures of the main navigation channel may be necessary.
All vessels should avoid the perimeter of all buoys and stay within the navigation channel as demolition operations continue this coming week.
Cranes, barges and other equipment may 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 potential, partial closures are subject to change and will appear in the U.S. Coast Guard’s weekly Notice to Mariners 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 http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/ for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.
