NEW YORK, NY — Pier foundation work near the Rockland shoreline will require triple-lane closures on the northbound Tappan Zee Bridge (I-87/I-287) from 9 p.m., Friday night, April 29 until 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30 and again from 9 p.m., Saturday, April 30 until 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1. One northbound lane will remain open to traffic during the operation. All three lanes in the southbound direction will remain open on the Tappan Zee Bridge during the entire weekend.
Motorists traveling northbound on the Thruway in the vicinity of the Tappan Zee Bridge during the closure times should expect severe delays and are advised to seek alternate routes. Variable Message Signs (VMS) across the region and Highway Advisory Radio 530 AM will update travelers on the closures and anticipated delays.
The work will include periodic pile driving. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will utilize vibratory hammers and noise-reducing shrouds during the operation to limit impacts on nearby residents as part of the project’s noise mitigation efforts.
In addition, periodic traffic stops lasting up to 10 minutes of all four lanes of the northbound Thruway from exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) to the Tappan Zee Bridge will occur. To ensure the public’s safety, the New York State Police will stop and hold all traffic approaching the area.
Specific lane closure times are detailed in the chart below:
Lane Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge
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DATE: |
CLOSURES BEGIN: |
CLOSURES END: |
LOCATION: |
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Fri., 4/29 |
9 p.m. – Three right lanes |
2 p.m. Sat., 4/30 |
Northbound Bridge |
|
near Rockland County |
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Sat., 4/30 |
9 p.m. – Three right lanes |
2 p.m. Sun., 5/1 |
Northbound Bridge |
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near Rockland County |
Toll Plaza Demolition
Demolition of the deactivated toll plaza in Tarrytown has begun. In the coming weeks, TZC will continue removing the toll plaza structures on the four right-most lanes of the southbound Thruway in preparation for the next shift in traffic, which is scheduled to occur in late May.
Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the Thruway in South Nyack next week. The work includes constructing noise barrier foundations and excavating soil along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. After the foundations are established, concrete panels that form the noise barriers will be installed. The barriers will be treated with sound-absorbing material to further reduce traffic noise to the nearby community.
TZC also will continue constructing foundation walls for the future highway and shared-use path along the northbound Thruway in South Nyack. The operation is scheduled to continue in the coming months.
Additional work includes:
Main span tower construction
Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
Rockland landing retaining walls
Survey inspections on the existing bridge
Westchester landings utility work
Girder assembly placement
Bridge road deck installation
Drainage structure installations
Boater Safety
Marine units are continuing patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of 5 knots and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.
Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. TZC will also be working in the area left and right of the main navigation channel under the main span of the bridge. TZC will begin working in the main navigation channel, which will result in partial or total closure of same. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed on the existing bridge to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are lit per U.S. Coast Guard permit requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment. All Mariners should consult the latest USCG Local Notice to Mariners before transiting this area.
More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. The page includes an interactive GPS map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River, detailing which vessels are stopped and which are in motion to a new location for recreational and commercial boaters to get current information on the very active construction zone. The vessel tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.
All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/ for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.