All lanes of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will remain open from Wednesday through Sunday to help travelers reach their destinations during what is traditionally the busiest travel period of the year.
To help travelers reach their Thanksgiving holiday destinations, the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC will pause certain New NY Bridge construction activities, enabling all lanes to remain open from Wednesday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30.
The five-day, lane-closure-free period follows Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s “Drivers First” initiative, which gives priority to motorists by ensuring that disruptions associated with highway and bridge projects are kept as minimal as possible.
Thanksgiving is traditionally the most heavily traveled period of the year and AAA forecasts that more Americans will hit the road this year than during any Thanksgiving holiday since 2007.
With accumulating snow forecasted to fall on Wednesday in the vicinity of the Tappan Zee Bridge, holiday travelers are urged to take extra precautions:
• Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations.
• Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered.
• Be wary of black ice, which can be difficult to see but makes conditions slippery when pavement temperatures are below freezing.
• Have a cell phone handy, if possible, but do not text while driving; distracted driving is illegal and becomes even more dangerous during storm events.
• Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound.
• Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes.
• Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route and estimated time of arrival.
• Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident or if you become snowbound.
Wherever your Thanksgiving celebration takes you, we hope you have safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.
