Shifting Spans Eight Lanes of Traffic Will Be on First Span

Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) is making final preparations to shift four lanes of Westchester-bound traffic from the Tappan Zee Bridge to the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge – weeks earlier than originally planned.

TZC is scheduled to begin work on Friday night, Oct. 6, and complete the operation by Saturday morning, Oct. 7, weather permitting. Motorists traveling on the southbound/eastbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) should plan for multiple lane closures and a brief traffic stoppage so workers can safely reconfigure the Rockland and Westchester landings and stripe the lanes at both ends of the 3.1-mile crossing.

The new bridge consists of two spans. In late August, the Thruway Authority opened the first span to Rockland-bound (northbound/westbound) traffic with a temporary traffic pattern consisting of four lanes. All four Rockland-bound lanes will remain open during the Friday night operation.

The temporary traffic pattern on the first span will consist of four lanes in each direction (see graphic below), separated by a concrete barrier. The posted speed limit will remain 45 mph for the safety of motorists. The Thruway Authority strongly encourages motorists to abide by the reduced speed limit and remain alert as they travel over the new bridge. All lanes on the new bridge will be similar in width to the lanes on the old bridge.

The new traffic pattern will allow TZC to demolish the old bridge’s landings and complete the new bridge’s second span in these areas. After the second span is connected to Rockland and Westchester counties in 2018, motorists will experience the full benefits of the twin-span crossing with its 12-foot wide driving lanes, the addition of safety shoulders and lanes for emergency vehicles. Construction of a bicycle and walking path with six unique viewing areas will also begin after the completion of the second span.

Here are details about the Friday night, Oct. 6, traffic shift:

During The Traffic Shift

• Two southbound/eastbound lane closures in South Nyack will begin sometime after 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6. Two lanes will remain open during the operation except when State Police stop and briefly hold traffic for up to 20 minutes. The Thruway Authority will continually monitor traffic conditions and make adjustments as needed.
• The southbound/eastbound Thruway exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp will be closed at approximately 9 p.m. Southbound/eastbound drivers will be detoured to the exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp, shown below.

• The southbound/eastbound Thruway exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) off-ramp will be closed at approximately 9:30 p.m. Southbound/eastbound drivers will be detoured to the exit 8A (Elmsford – NY Route 119 – Saw Mill River Parkway North ) shown below.

• At approximately 10 p.m., State Police will stop and hold all traffic for up to 20 minutes of all four lanes of the southbound/eastbound Thruway in South Nyack. The traffic stop will allow Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors workers to stage operations, stripe lanes at both ends of the bridge and shift barriers and equipment. Motorists can expect delays during this transition and should allow for extra travel time or consider an alternate route.

After The Traffic Shift

• Two southbound/eastbound lanes on the new bridge will initially open to traffic. All four southbound/eastbound lanes are expected to be open no later than 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7.
• The exit 10 on-ramp is scheduled to re-open by 6:00 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7.
• The exit 9 off-ramp is scheduled to re-open by 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7.

Variable Message Signs along the Thruway and other highways in the region have been activated to inform motorists of the traffic shift. Motorists are encouraged to tune to Thruway Highway Advisory Radio for updates.

Download our printable Traffic Shift Fact Sheet, below: