Operations to shift Westchester-bound traffic to the first span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will begin on the night of Friday, Oct. 6, weather permitting. Motorists traveling on the southbound/eastbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) should anticipate multiple lane and ramp closures near the bridge beginning at 9 p.m., as well as a brief traffic stop of all southbound/eastbound lanes for up to 20 minutes at approximately 10 p.m.
The traffic stop will allow Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) 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.
All four Rockland-bound (northbound/westbound) lanes will remain open during the operation.
In Rockland County, 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.
In Westchester County, the southbound/eastbound Thruway exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) off-ramp will be closed at approximately 10 p.m. Southbound/eastbound drivers will be detoured to the exit 8A (Elmsford – NY Route 119 – Saw Mill River Parkway North ) shown below.
All traffic lanes and ramps are scheduled to re-open by 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7. Specific lane and ramp closure times are listed in the chart below.
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | CLOSURES END: | LOCATION: |
| Fri., 10/6 | 9 p.m. – Two right lanes | 10 a.m., Sat., 10/7 | Southbound (I-87/I-287) from exit 11 to exit 9 |
| Fri., 10/6 | 9 p.m. – Ramp closure | 6 a.m., Sat., 10/7 | Southbound exit 10 on-ramp |
| Fri., 10/6 | 10 p.m. – Ramp closure | 10 a.m., Sat., 10/7 | Southbound exit 9 off-ramp |
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.
The posted speed limit on the new bridge 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 bridge’s temporary configuration will consist of four lanes in each direction, separated by a concrete barrier. By moving all eight traffic lanes to the new bridge’s first span, TZC will be able to demolish the landings of the old bridge, which occupy the same footprint of the second span. TZC will then connect the second span to land and complete the structure. This will allow motorists to 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.
River Road Closures
TZC is preparing to remove the existing Tappan Zee Bridge to complete the second span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The initial demolition effort will require a complete closure of the portion of River Road in South Nyack/Grand View that crosses underneath the Tappan Zee Bridge for up to four weeks. The work will require the use of mobile cranes and other equipment as TZC removes large sections of concrete and steel from the area, employing noise mitigation techniques to minimize impacts to residents. The closure is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and extend into early November, six days per week (Monday through Saturday), between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
To safely accomplish the demolition, TZC and the New York State Thruway Authority are working closely with emergency and first responder agencies, Rockland County transportation officials, elected officials, affected school districts, and commercial bus companies that service the area. Alternate routes commuter bus services have also been established. The closure site will be monitored 24/7 by project safety personnel who will provide temporary access for emergency service vehicles at all times.
Vehicular traffic will be detoured to 9W, while pedestrians and cyclists will have limited access to River Road after extended waiting periods. Project safety personnel will hold pedestrians and cyclists for up to an hour on weekdays and up to 15 minutes on Saturdays. Access will be provided without extended waiting periods on Sundays, however the Thruway Authority strongly encourages travelers to avoid the area until construction operations conclude in early November.
Additional work includes:
- 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
- Electrical equipment installation and testing
- Construction of maintenance and state police facilities
Boater Safety
Expect periodic closures of the main navigation channel due to on-going construction through the end of this year. 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.
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.
