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 from Thursday morning, Sept. 1, to Tuesday morning, Sept. 6. Certain maintenance, safety and security work will continue during the weekend. Drivers First, launched in 2012, prioritizes the convenience of motorists to ensure that traffic disruptions are as minimal as possible for drivers at highway and bridge projects across the state.
New Drainage System
Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has rescheduled work on a new drainage system under the westbound/northbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) this week. Operations will now necessitate closing the northbound Thruway exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) on-ramp from Route 119 during the overnights of Tuesday, Aug. 30, and Wednesday, Aug. 31, and next week after the holiday weekend. Drivers will be detoured approximately one mile east on Route 119 to access the northbound Thruway (see map below). The exit 9 off-ramp to Route 119 will remain accessible from the northbound Thruway.
The month-long operation will also require regular overnight lane closures of up to three northbound lanes of the Thruway from exit 8A (Elmsford – NY Route 119 – Saw Mill River Parkway North) to the Tappan Zee Bridge.
The work will involve pavement removal, soil/rock excavation, drainage pipe installation, backfilling, and paving. TZC has implemented noise abatement measures in the area.
All southbound lanes will remain open at all times during the operation.
Shoulder Barrier Shift
TZC will retract the shoulder barrier on the southbound Thruway near exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) during an overnight operation. The shift will necessitate the closing of the right lane of the southbound Thruway between exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) to the South Broadway bridge past exit 10, between 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, and 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Specific lane and ramp closure times are detailed in the chart below.
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | CLOSURES END: | LOCATION: |
| Tue., 8/30 | 8 p.m. – One left lane 9 p.m. – Two left lanes 11 p.m. – Three left lanes |
7 a.m., Wed., 8/31 | Northbound Thruway exit 8A to the Tappan Zee Bridge |
| Tue., 8/30 | 8 p.m. – On-ramp closure | 5 a.m., Wed., 8/31 | Northbound Thruway exit 9 |
| Tue., 8/30 | 8 p.m. – One right lane | 5 a.m., Wed., 8/31 | Southbound Thruway from exit 11 to exit 10 |
| Wed., 8/31 | 8 p.m. – One left lane 9 p.m. – Two left lanes 11 p.m. – Three left lanes |
7 a.m., Thu., 9/1 | Northbound Thruway exit 8A to the Tappan Zee Bridge |
| Wed., 8/31 | 8 p.m. – On-ramp closure | 5 a.m., Thu., 9/1 | Northbound Thruway exit 9 |
| Tue., 9/6 | 7 p.m. – One right lane 8 p.m. – Two right lanes 11 p.m. – Three right lanes |
5 a.m., Wed., 9/7 | Northbound Thruway exit 8A to the Tappan Zee Bridge |
| Tue., 9/6 | 8 p.m. – On-ramp closure | 5 a.m., Wed., 9/7 | Northbound Thruway exit 9 |
| Wed., 9/7 | 7 p.m. – One right lane 8 p.m. – Two right lanes 11 p.m. – Three right lanes |
5 a.m., Thu., 9/8 | Northbound Thruway exit 8A to the Tappan Zee Bridge |
| Wed., 9/7 | 8 p.m. – On-ramp closure | 5 a.m., Thu., 9/8 | Northbound Thruway exit 9 |
Main Span Cable Installation
TZC continues to install the new northbound bridge’s stay cable system. The stay cables are comprised of numerous metal strands, tightly packed in a protective sheath. After the initial installation process, TZC will install additional strands inside the sheath to provide further strength.
TZC will install new structural steel sections and stay cables on alternating sides of the towers as work continues. TZC will also place precast concrete deck panels on the erected steel sections to provide a base driving surface.
Maintenance Dock Construction
TZC will continue constructing a New York State Thruway Authority maintenance dock near the new bridge’s Rockland landing. The work involves partially dismantling the existing work trestle that was used to construct the northern span of the new bridge. Work will take place during daytime hours and will include the installation of several piles to support the dock’s boat slips. The construction efforts are expected to conclude later this year. Pile driving operations will be limited from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the southbound Thruway in South Nyack next week with the installation of retaining wall panels between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. After these foundational materials are placed, TZC will install the concrete noise barrier panels. The barriers are 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 installation
- Maintenance facility construction in Tarrytown
- Soil boring in South Nyack
- Pier foundation work
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 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.
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. Boaters should expect periodic partial closures of the main channel due to increased construction activities on the main span. Tune to Marine Radio Channel 22A for the latest U.S. Coast Guard advisories.
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.
