In observance of Independence Day, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will suspend most construction activities over the long weekend. In accordance with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative, no construction-related lane closures are scheduled on or near the New NY Bridge project site beginning today until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.
“The Fourth of July weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year and we are doing everything in our power to make the time on the road as painless as possible,” Governor Cuomo said. “With these actions, we are helping to ensure motorists get where they need to go safely and efficiently with minimum delays during this holiday weekend.”
New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Bill Finch said, “As one of the safest superhighways in the nation, the thousands of travelers that will use our 570-mile roadway to get to their holiday destinations won’t encounter any unnecessary construction congestion. We applaud Governor Cuomo for joining us by putting drivers first to ensure motorists have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend.”
There will be slight variations for certain Thruway projects based on previous traffic volume. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available here.
The construction suspension is keeping with Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First program, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.
Roadway and Aesthetic Lighting
TZC continues to install roadway lighting fixtures on the westbound main span. Periodic testing of the aesthetic lighting and roadway lighting will occur during the coming weeks. The bridge’s lighting fixtures utilize energy efficient light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, designed with 100,000-hour lifespans.
Landings Preparation
Work to construct the approaches on both the Rockland and Westchester landings continues this week. Crews will place concrete and install underground structures between the northbound and southbound Thruway lanes in Tarrytown and South Nyack. The work will occur in the center median area and will not require lane closures.
Maintenance and State Police Facilities
Steel erection continues at the Thruway Authority’s new maintenance facility in Tarrytown this week. Crews will also continue with footing and retaining wall construction for the new State Police facility. These buildings will facilitate bridge access for Thruway personnel and the State Police. Both currently operate from a temporary facility near Exit 12 in West Nyack.
Noise Barrier Installation
TZC is installing transparent Acrylite noise barriers on the westbound Rockland approach. The on-structure material is designed to deflect sound waves and provide a perceivable noise reduction.
Additional work includes:
- Stay cable installation
- Fence installation
- Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
- Survey inspections on the existing bridge
- Pier substructure work
- Expansion joint operations
- Internal tower work
- Maintenance dock construction
Boater Safety
Rockland and Westchester marine units will continue enhanced patrols of the project site to enforce boater safety measures implemented by the U.S. Coast Guard in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors.
Periodic closures of the main navigation channel and adjacent span areas will occur due to on-going construction. Boaters are strongly encouraged to avoid the project site during these closures.
The closures are anticipated through the end of this year as project crews install new sections of structural steel and road deck panels between the towers of the new crossing. Cranes, barges and other construction equipment will occupy parts of the channel during this time.
Times and dates of the closures will appear in the U.S. Coast Guard’s weekly Notice to Mariners; on the New NY Bridge (NNYB) project’s Twitter feed (@NewNYBridge); and broadcast on Marine Radio Channel 22A.
Times and dates of the channel closures are subject to change.
TZC will be monitoring the main channel during closure hours and can be contacted via Marine Radio Channel 16 for assistance. Both TZC security personnel off-site and marine units will advise incoming boaters of the closures and direct them appropriately. TZC is also in on-going communication with the commercial shipping industry about the channel closures.
Boaters are strongly urged to use the center 600 feet of the main channel (when available) to navigate in a north-south direction with no wake at a maximum speed of five knots.
TZC has installed Private Aids to Navigation to supplement the existing channel delineation. Buoys are positioned both north and south of the bridge and consist of two green buoys to mark the west edge of the channel and two red buoys to mark the east edge. Two red navigation lights are on the north side of the new bridge to mark the limits of the shipping channel.
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 also has established 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.
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.
The 600-foot navigation channel under the main span of the existing bridge remains 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.
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.
