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.
The new bridge’s temporary configuration will consist of four lanes in each direction, separated by a concrete barrier. This will allow TZC to demolish the landings of the old bridge, which occupy the same footprint of the second span, and connect the second span to land.
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.
Striping Operations
TZC will stripe areas near the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge tonight in anticipation of next week’s traffic shift. The work will require overnight closures of northbound/westbound Thruway traffic lanes on and near the new bridge.
Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | CLOSURES END: | LOCATION: |
| Fri., 9/29 | 9 p.m. – One left lane 10 p.m. – Two left lanes 11:59 p.m. – Three left lanes |
6 a.m., Sat., 9/30 | Northbound (I-87/I-287) from exit 8A to exit 10 |
Structural Steel Installation
This week, TZC installed the final section of main span steel on the eastbound span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, creating a nearly 3-mile-long connection from the edge of the Westchester approach to the end of the Rockland approach. The final, 24-foot section of steel was carefully aligned and secured near the center of the main span. The operation followed the completion of stay cable installation on the project.
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.
