Governor Andrew M. Cuomo this week announced 
that the federal government has approved an up to $1.6 billion loan for the project to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge, securing key financing for the construction of the New NY Bridge.
The low-interest, 35-year loan comes from the federal government’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program and represents the largest award in the program’s history.
Meanwhile, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC. (TZC) has completed dredging operations for 2013. Additional dredging will be conducted in 2014, from Aug. 1 to Nov. 1. Installation of permanent piles continues; pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between 12 noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Additionally, “armoring” of the dredge channel, a process that helps protect the water quality for marine life, continues. Currently, TZC crews are layering sand and stone within the dredge channel to armor the river bottom in an effort to ensure sediment is not kicked up by passing vessels.
Beginning the week of Nov. 4, crews will prepare for the installation of a permanent sound barrier along northbound I-87/I-287 in the area south of exit 10 in Rockland County. On Monday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 5, one southbound left-hand lane and shoulder on I-87/I-287 between exit 11 in Nyack and the Tappan Zee Bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for drainage surveys.
Mariners should be aware that TZC will be installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600’ 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. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard in the future may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information can be found on the project website, NewNYBridge.com, under the “Boating Safety” icon.
Ongoing operations:
- Rockland emergency ramp modifications
- Armoring of dredge channel
- River Road utility work
- Test pile program
- Rockland Dock Extension under existing bridge
- Temporary Rockland trestle construction including pile driving on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Temporary Westchester trestle construction including pile driving on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Survey inspections on existing bridge
- Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
