For Immediate Release: February 20, 2008

Thruway Authority To Continue Deck Replacement Work On The Tappan Zee Bridge

The New York State Thruway Authority announced today that construction work related to the deck replacement project on the Tappan Zee Bridge will take place Thursday, February 21 and Friday, February 22.

This project is part of the Authority’s on-going commitment to continue to fulfill its responsibility to maintain and operate the bridge by continuing to make the necessary investments to assure safe and efficient travel for the thousands of motorists that cross the bridge daily.

The deck replacement project will replace approximately 40 percent of the entire deck, focusing on the two right outside lanes in each direction from the Rockland County shore through the main span.

Surveying and electrical work. This operation is weather-dependent and subject to change. Updates will be issued announcing any change in schedule. Lane closures during this operation:

Thursday, February 21

• Work will begin at 10 PM and result in the closure of two right northbound lanes until 6 AM Friday, February 22 from milepost 13.0 to the west abutment on the Tappan Zee Bridge. These closures are for necessary surveying and electrical work. All lanes are expected to be open by 6 AM Friday.

Friday, February 22

• Work will begin at 10 PM and result in the closure of two right northbound lanes until 6 AM Saturday, February 23 from milepost 13.0 to the west abutment on the Tappan Zee Bridge. These closures are for necessary surveying and electrical work. All lanes are expected to be open by 6 AM Saturday.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, motorists are urged to proceed with caution and obey posted work-zone speed limits. Work will proceed weather-permitting, and schedule updates will be announced as needed.

Traffic updates will be broadcast to motorists via Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) along the highway and by Highway Advisory Radio, 530 AM in the Tappan Zee Bridge corridor, as well as 1610 AM in the Newburgh area.

Motorists may also sign up to receive email and text message traffic updates from the Thruway Authority’s TRANSalert system. Anyone may subscribe to the free service at www.nysthruway.gov/tas.

When complete, the new deck, along with related repairs to the superstructure, lighting, and rail will provide more reliable service, increase safety and add convenience for motorists using this vital east-west corridor.

The Authority has implemented a number of measures to reduce the impact on motorists, preserve traffic flow, shorten the project duration, and reduce on-site noise levels. Much of the work is being completed during off-peak, overnight shifts, generally from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and redecking materials are being manufactured off-site with delivery just in time for installation.

The three-mile Tappan Zee Bridge, located about 13 miles north of New York City, carries the New York State Thruway over the Hudson River, between Rockland and Westchester Counties. The structure serves as a lifeline between New York City and Upstate New York. The bridge carries over 140,000 vehicles every day, with volumes as high as 170,000 vehicles daily. When the bridge opened in 1955, it carried an average of 18,000 vehicles daily.

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The Authority offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway.  To sign up for the TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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