In observance of the Memorial Day holiday and in accordance with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s ‘Drivers First’ initiative, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will suspend construction-related lane closures on or near the New NY Bridge project site until Tuesday night, May 29. Certain maintenance, safety and security work will continue during the weekend. Drivers First, launched in 2012, prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. The Governor is also urging motorists to abide by New York’s Move Over Law and to utilize the 64 text stops located statewide as needed for texting, making phone calls, and other non-driving tasks.
“As New Yorkers set out to enjoy Memorial Day weekend, we will be suspending all nonessential state roadway construction projects so travelers can get to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible,” Governor Cuomo said. “As always, I encourage drivers to remember to move over for roadside emergency and maintenance vehicles and to utilize text stops to avoid distracted driving, especially during this busy travel weekend.”
New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said, “As we kick off the summer travel season, we want to ensure all drivers reach their destinations safely and without delay due to roadwork. By limiting construction activities during a major holiday weekend, Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First Initiative allows motorists to enjoy more time with their families and friends. I encourage everyone to travel safely and download the free Thruway mobile app before traveling.”
Drivers should keep in mind that in some cases, road work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available here.
Deck Panel Installation
TZC is scheduled to continue installing road deck panels for the new bridge’s eastbound span over River Road at the Rockland landing. The work follows the successful installation of steel girders in the area.
The work is scheduled to occur during weekdays, requiring daily periodic 5-minute traffic stops on River Road between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Flag persons will be on site to facilitate the lane closings and maintain traffic safety. The work is scheduled to conclude by Wednesday, May 30.
Roadway Improvements
TZC is scheduled to continue work on the eastbound span’s roadway. The work will involve moving material and equipment near the Rockland landing, requiring overnight lane closures on the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) beginning near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) and extending across the new bridge.
Work on the median barrier in Tarrytown will also require single lane closures on the northbound Thruway near exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9).
Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | CLOSURES END: | LOCATION: |
| Tue., 5/29 | 7 p.m. – One right lane 8 p.m. – Two right lanes |
6 a.m. – Wed., 5/30 | Southbound (I-87/I-287) from exit 11 to exit 9 |
| Wed., 5/30 | 7 p.m. – One right lane 8 p.m. – Two right lanes |
6 a.m. – Thur., 5/31 | Southbound from exit 11 to exit 9 |
| Thur., 5/31 | 5 a.m. – One left lane | 3 p.m. | Northbound near exit 9 |
| Thur., 5/31 | 7 p.m. – One right lane 8 p.m. – Two right lanes |
6 a.m. – Fri., 6/1 | Southbound from exit 11 to exit 9 |
| Fri., 6/1 | 5 a.m. – One left lane | 1 p.m. | Northbound near exit 9 |
| Fri., 6/1 | 7 p.m. – One right lane 8 p.m. – Two right lanes |
6 a.m. – Sat., 6/2 | Southbound from exit 11 to exit 9 |
TZC is also scheduled to pour concrete near the eastbound span’s Westchester landing next week, weather permitting. The work will not require the closure of any Thruway traffic lanes.
Truss Dismantling
TZC is scheduled to remove large steel truss sections of the old bridge next week with the assistance of the project’s largest crane, dubbed I Lift NY. The truss sections, weighing up to 1,300 tons, will be placed on barges and transported to ancillary project facilities.
Maintenance and State Police Facilities
TZC is planning to pour concrete for the new State Police facility in Tarrytown in the coming days, weather permitting. TZC will also continue to install exterior wall panels and glass windows at the Thruway Authority’s new maintenance building in Tarrytown.
Additional work includes:
- Excavation and backfilling near bridge landings
- Removing temporary access structures
- Internal tower work
- Electrical equipment installation and testing
- Dismantling of the old bridge’s icebreakers, deck panels, piers and circular caissons
Boater Safety
Periodic closures of the main navigation channel are anticipated to occur during construction and demolition periods. Cranes, barges and other equipment will occupy parts of the channel during this time. Boaters are strongly encouraged to avoid the project site during the closures and to avoid the Regulated Navigation Areas, located east and west of the main channel.
Times and dates of the closures are subject to change and will appear in the U.S. Coast Guard’s weekly Notice to Mariners; on the project’s Twitter feed (@NewNYBridge); and broadcast on Marine Radio Channel 22A. Tappan Zee Constructors can be contacted via Marine Radio Channel 16 for assistance.
Rockland and Westchester marine units continue to patrol the project site.
More boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, a construction site map and GPS-tracked construction vessel locations, can be found at NewNYBridge.com/Boater.
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.
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.
