The President of the United States hailed progress on the New NY Bridge Project during a visit this past Wednesday to Tarrytown. In late 2011, President Barack Obama approved Governor Andrew Cuomo’s request for expedited federal approval of the project. “Normally, it would have taken three to five years to permit this bridge; we did it in a year and a half,” said the President. He thanked Governor Cuomo and praised the state for its “can do spirit”. The President also announced his intention to “fast track” 11 more highway and bridge project in the future.
For images and video from the event, click here.
TRAFFIC UPDATE: LATE NIGHT LANE CLOSURES RESCHEDULED
Late night and overnight lane closures on I-87 northbound/I-287 westbound in Westchester County between exit 9 in Tarrytown and the Tappan Zee Bridge have been rescheduled due to weather conditions. All travel lanes will remain open during peak travel hours.
On Saturday, May 17 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. the two right lanes will be closed.
On Sunday, May 18 from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. the three right lanes will be closed.
When complete, this work will shift the travel lanes to the left and close the right-hand shoulder for bridge-related construction activities. Concrete safety barriers will be installed along the shoulder. Variable message signs will be utilized along I-87/I-287, Saw Mill River Parkway, Route 119 and Route 9 to inform motorists of the lane closure activities.
On Saturday May 17 from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, May 18, the I-87 northbound/I-287 westbound entrance ramp to the Tappan Zee Bridge from Route 119/White Plains Road in Tarrytown will be closed. Traffic will be detoured approximately 1.5 miles east on Route 119/White Plains Road to interchange 8A in Elmsford to enter I-87 northbound/I-287 westbound (See detour map below).
Westchester detour map
The New York State Thruway’s dockside maintenance building located at River Road in South Nyack will be demolished the week of May 19 to make way for construction of the new bridge abutment.
Also, construction of the New NY Bridge continues with pile driving operations between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between 12 noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
A second shift of workers continues pile welding associated with permanent foundations.
Marine crews are working from the shorelines of Rockland and Westchester counties, moving outward to place permanent foundation piles. Work on the foundations for the main span continues to progress as well. To learn more about the main span foundation and tower construction see the new “Bridge Rising” animation on NewNYBridge.com.
Work continues closer to the shorelines on both the Rockland and Westchester temporary work trestles, including pile driving to install the temporary foundations needed to support the platforms. The trestles will support cranes for the construction of the eastern- and western-most sections of the new bridge.
| Saturday | May 17 | Northbound,Left/Middle Lane near Exit 9 | 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. |
| Saturday | May 17 | Exit 9 Entrance Ramp closed | 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. |
| Monday | May 19 | Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 9 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Tuesday | May 20 | Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
| Wednesday | May 21 | Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge, weather permitting. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.
Enhanced Boater Safety Information is now posted on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon including a new map of the project site and information on boater safety enhancements being put into place. The U.S. Coast Guard will be extending its Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) around the project site to 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are advised to proceed with no wake at a maximum speed of five knots in this area, and to transit the main channel when traveling between the north and south sides of the bridge. The RNA also allows the Coast Guard to limit or prohibit marine traffic in those areas if necessary. The New York State Thruway Authority and TZC have also applied for a new safety zone around the 16 construction barge mooring locations at the site. No vessel traffic will be allowed in the safety zone. The Coast Guard boating safety information and the modified mooring permit map can also be found on the project website.
Ongoing Operations:
- Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
- Rockland Landing construction
- Westchester Landing utility relocations
- River Road utility work
- Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
- Survey inspections on existing bridge
- Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
- Armoring of Dredge channel
