This weekend, southbound/eastbound traffic on the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) near the former Tarrytown toll plaza is scheduled to shift to four newly unobstructed lanes. The transition follows the successful demolition of several concrete barriers and overhead toll plaza structures by Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC).
Work associated with the transition will necessitate triple lane closures on the southbound/eastbound Thruway between exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) and exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) during the overnight of Friday, May 20.
In addition, periodic traffic stops lasting up to 10 minutes of all four lanes of the southbound Tappan Zee Bridge will occur between 12:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. during the overnight transition process. To ensure the public’s safety, the New York State Police will coordinate the traffic flow.
Specific lane and ramp closure times are detailed in the chart below.
After the transition, commuters taking the southbound Thruway exit 9 off-ramp are advised to stay in the right-hand lane, as there will be little time to merge from the left at highway speeds. The new lane configuration will be in place until late 2016.
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | CLOSURES END: | LOCATION: |
| Fri., 5/20 | 8 p.m. – One left lane 9 p.m. – Two left lanes 12 a.m. – Three left lanes |
8 a.m., Sat., 5/21 | Southbound Thruway from exit 10 to exit 9 |
Utility Work Near Rockland Landing
The installation of bridge utilities near the Rockland Landing will require a southbound lane closure of River Road in South Nyack on Wednesday, May 25, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flag persons will keep traffic moving by alternating the directional flow between north and south. To ensure the public’s safety, traffic may be held up to 5 minutes in both directions as workers offload materials.
Maintenance Facility Construction
TZC continues to prepare foundation work on the New York State Thruway Authority’s new maintenance facility in Tarrytown. The state-of-the-art building will facilitate instant access to the bridge for several groups of Thruway personnel including: administration, emergency response, mechanics, welders, painters, electricians and dock crews. The facility is expected to open in 2018.
Bridge maintenance teams currently operate from a temporary facility near exit 12 in West Nyack.
Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the Thruway in South Nyack next week. The work includes constructing noise barrier foundations and excavating soil along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. After the foundations are established, concrete panels that form the noise barriers will be installed. The barriers will be treated with sound-absorbing material to further reduce traffic noise in the nearby community.
TZC also will continue constructing foundation walls for the future highway and shared-use path along the northbound Thruway in South Nyack. The operation is scheduled to continue in the coming months.
Additional work includes:
- Main span tower construction
- Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
- Rockland landing retaining walls
- Survey inspections on the existing bridge
- Utility work at the Westchester landings
- Girder assembly placement
- Bridge road deck installation
- Drainage structure installations
Boater Safety
Marine units are continuing patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.
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. The U.S. Coast Guard is also establishing a safety zone encompassing all navigable waters within a 200 yard radius of the largest machine on the project, the I Lift NY super crane, legally registered with the U.S. Coast Guard as the Left Coast Lifter.
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. The Eastern RNA will be extremely active and vessels transitioning to and from the eastern shoreline at Tarrytown should approach and depart to the north. The Western RNA will be impassable at times and mariners should stay clear of the area.
Boaters are strongly urged to use the center 600 feet of the main channel to navigate in a north-south direction with no wake at a maximum speed of five knots. Partial or full closures of the main channel will periodically occur. Visit NewNYBridge.com/Boater for information regarding upcoming closures and the U.S. Coast Guard First District Local Notice to Mariners.
Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Mariners are advised to stay clear of all overhead work and maintain a safe distance of 1,000 feet from all construction equipment and support vessels. In addition, all bridge piers and abutments are protected by a 25-yard security zone.
Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed on the existing bridge to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are lit per U.S. Coast Guard permit requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment. All Mariners should consult the latest USCG Local Notice to Mariners before transiting this area.
More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site map can be found at NewNYBridge.com/Boater. The page includes an interactive GPS map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River, detailing which vessels are stopped and which are in motion to a new location, for recreational and commercial boaters to get current information on the very active construction zone. The vessel tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.
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.
