NEW YORK, NY — Operations to shift Westchester-bound traffic on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the crossing’s new eastbound span will begin at approximately 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, weather permitting. Motorists traveling on the southbound/eastbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) should plan for multiple lane closures and brief traffic stoppages so workers can reconfigure the landings and stripe the lanes at both ends of the new 3.1-mile span during the overnight operation. There will be no lane closures in the Rockland-bound direction.
All four Westchester-bound lanes will be open to traffic no later than 7 a.m. Saturday.
Work will require a temporary closure of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) southbound on-ramp. Southbound/eastbound drivers will be detoured to the exit 11 on-ramp, shown below.
During the shift, there will be two traffic stops of all four southbound/eastbound lanes near exit 10 in South Nyack, each lasting up to 20 minutes. The traffic stops 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.
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.
Following the traffic shift, TZC is scheduled to continue roadway improvements and concrete slab installation near the Westchester landing. The work will require single-lane closures next week.
Specific lane and ramp closure times are listed in the chart below.
Lane & Ramp Closures Near the Bridge
| DATE: | CLOSURES BEGIN: | LOCATION: | CLOSURES END: |
| Fri., 9/7 | 8 p.m. – Lane closures begin | Southbound (I-87/I-287) from exit 11 to exit 9 | Sat., 9/8 – 7 a.m. |
| Fri., 9/7 | 8 p.m. – Ramp closure | Southbound exit 10 on-ramp | Sat., 9/8 – 7 a.m. |
| Mon., 9/10 | 6:30 a.m. – One left lane | Northbound from exit 9 to exit 10 | 3 p.m. |
| Tues., 9/11 | 6:30 a.m. – One left lane | Northbound from exit 9 to exit 10 | 3 p.m. |
| Wed., 9/12 | 6:30 a.m. – One left lane | Northbound from exit 9 to exit 10 | 3 p.m. |
| Thurs., 9/13 | 6:30 a.m. – One left lane | Northbound from exit 9 to exit 10 | 3 p.m. |
| Fri., 9/14 | 6:30 a.m. – One left lane | Northbound from exit 9 to exit 10 | 1 p.m. |
Following the eastbound traffic shift, Westchester-bound motorists will have access to four general traffic lanes and emergency shoulders. A dedicated bus lane will open this fall for eastbound traffic. The fully completed project will include shoulders and dedicated bus lanes in each direction, and a bicycle and walking path.
Rockland-bound motorists will continue to use the current four lanes on the westbound span. In the coming weeks, the four lanes of westbound traffic will be shifted to allow for construction of the bicycle and pedestrian path and its six overlooks.
The bridge, including its landing areas, remains an active construction work zone. As such, the posted speed limit will remain 45 mph on both spans for the safety of motorists and construction workers. The Thruway Authority strongly encourages motorists to abide by the reduced speed limit and remain alert when crossing the bridge.
Additional work includes:
- Striping, signage and barrier installation
- Internal tower work
- Electrical equipment installation and testing
- Dismantling of the old bridge’s pile caps and piles
- Internal work on Thruway Maintenance and New York State Police facilities
Boater Safety
Periodic closures of the main navigation channel are anticipated to occur during construction and demolition periods. 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 and to avoid the Regulated Navigation Areas, located east and west of the main channel.
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.