The New NY Bridge Newsletter for January 2017

January 2017
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the New NY Bridge has reached a major milestone with the topping off of the eight main span towers. The New NY Bridge is on track to open in 2018 and on budget at $3.98 billion.
The project team is looking forward to another year of progress on the twin-span replacement of the original Tappan Zee Bridge, including the completion of the westbound span.
Motorists on the Tappan Zee Bridge may be familiar with the rhythmic bumps in the existing bridge’s roadway. These interruptions are the result of nearly 200 expansion joints, which are designed to absorb the slight expansion and contraction of the bridge’s steel and concrete. Drivers can expect a much smoother ride in the future thanks to the dramatic reduction of expansion joints on the new bridge.
The New NY Bridge project team is supporting local charities to make the holidays a little more joyous for those in need in our communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How will the project reduce traffic congestion? 
A:
The existing bridge has only seven lanes, some of which are narrower than the current standard lane width of 12 feet. The new bridge will have eight, 12-foot-wide lanes and wider shoulders. The shoulders of the new crossing will greatly reduce the traffic impact of disabled vehicles and accidents, which can cause massive tie-ups on the existing bridge. The incline approaching the main span will not be as steep, allowing large trucks to maintain consistent speed and reduce engine and braking noise. The ability of trucks to maintain highway speed will also reduce speed differential with passenger vehicles which lessens lane changes and potential for accidents. There will also be gently banked curves to further smooth traffic flow and reduce accidents. In addition, the new bridge is being built with space to accommodate dedicated bus lanes. In April 2016, cashless tolling went into effect on the existing bridge, and this will be a feature of the new bridge, eliminating the need for eastbound drivers to slow down or stop and idle at a toll plaza.

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The New NY Bridge Newsletter November 2016

December 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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The new bridge’s iconic main span towers are nearing completion thanks to the around-the-clock efforts of the hard-working men and women of Tappan Zee Constructors.
Following South Nyack’s overwhelming endorsement of “Alternative F” in March, the New NY Bridge project team has been working with Mayor Bonnie Christian and the village’s Tappan Zee Bridge task force on the design of the Rockland end of the shared-use path.
Tappan Zee Constructors recently installed the first of 18 overhead gantries, which will be equipped with enhanced technology to help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently on the new bridge.
The New NY Bridge project is standing united this Veterans Day to honor all those who have served in the U.S. military.  Veterans are among the thousands of skilled individuals who have made possible the remarkable progress taking place on the Hudson River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Why does the current Tappan Zee Bridge need to be replaced?        
A:
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge opened to traffic in 1955 and is a vital artery for residents, commuters, travelers and commercial traffic. The bridge, which was designed to carry up to 100,000 vehicles per day, currently handles an average of 140,000 vehicles daily, and traffic congestion and delays are regular occurrences. Heavy traffic, narrow lanes and the lack of emergency shoulders often contribute to congestion and frustration for motorists. As a result, the bridge has twice the average accident rate per mile as the rest of the 570-mile Thruway system. In recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to maintain and repair the bridge. If the current bridge were not being replaced, the Thruway Authority would need to spend an additional $3 billion to $4 billion over the next 20 years to ensure its structural integrity.

The New NY Bridge November Newsletter

November 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Following the successful completion of its phase one girder operations, the project’s largest crane has returned to familiar territory to help crews with road deck installation.
Tappan Zee Constructors recently completed the first two 419-foot towers of the iconic main span. Our new time-lapse video captures the evolution of the westbound (Rockland-bound) towers aided by the project’s blue self-climbing jump forms.
The New NY Bridge project reached a major milestone with the installation of the final steel-blue girder assembly for the new westbound approach span.
The New NY Bridge project has become a symbol for what the state can accomplish. Watch the new twin-span crossing take shape during the past three years in this new time-lapse video. From steel girders to concrete towers, from piles to road deck, from shoreline to shoreline, the transformation has been amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How will the project reduce traffic congestion?        
A:
The existing bridge has only seven lanes, some of which are narrower than the current standard width of 12 feet. The new bridge will have eight 12-foot-wide lanes. The wide shoulders of the new crossing will greatly reduce the traffic impact of disabled vehicles and accidents, which can cause massive tie-ups on the existing bridge. The incline over the main span will not be as steep, allowing large trucks to maintain consistent speed and reduce engine and braking noise. There will also be gently banked curves to help smooth traffic flow and reduce accidents as well as a cashless tolling system to eliminate the need for drivers to slow down or stop at a toll plaza. In addition, the new bridge is being built with the structural capacity to handle commuter rail, light rail, or bus rapid transit.
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New NY Bridge October Newsletter

October 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is one step closer to completing the twin-span crossing as the new bridge’s westbound towers reach their ultimate height, 419 feet above the Hudson River. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the upper sections of the towers and removing the blue jump forms when the operations are complete. TZC is scheduled to complete all four westbound towers within the coming weeks.

While the large and powerful I Lift NY super crane continues to raise enormous, 410-foot sections of steel above the Hudson River, a far smaller and swifter machine, called a derrick crane, is hard at work on an equally important task – installing hundreds of road deck panels to form the base driving surface of the bridge.

As the New NY Bridge project continues to makeremarkable progress above the Hudson River, crews are installing several safety features on the crossing.
These features are the result of the project’s close collaboration with local and regional first responders during the bridge’s design development phase.

Prior to the start of New NY Bridge construction in 2013, Rockland and Westchester residents living near the project site voted overwhelmingly in favor of new permanent barriers to reduce highway traffic noise. Today, progress on the barriers is readily apparent in South Nyack.

The first full closure of the main navigational channel occurred this September. Approximately 70 closures are anticipated through the end of 2017 as project crews install new sections of structural steel and road deck panels between the towers of the new crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How many lanes will the new bridge have?       
A:
The new twin-span bridge will have eight general traffic lanes – four in each direction. Space will also be provided for disabled vehicles, emergency responders and express buses and/or bus rapid transit. There will also be a shared-use path for bicycles and pedestrians.

September 2016 New NY Bridge Monthly Newsletter

September 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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The latest batch of aerial photography showcases the New NY Bridge project advancing across the Hudson River. The approaches in Westchester and Rockland continue to take shape with prefabricated road deck panels and enormous steel girder assemblies, installed by the I Lift NY super crane. At the main span, stay cables have begun to connect the burgeoning roadway to the four northern span towers, which each have reached nearly 400 feet in height.
The New NY Bridge project has become a symbol for what the state can accomplish. Watch the new twin-span crossing take shape during the past three years in this new time-lapse video. From steel girders to concrete towers, from piles to road deck, from shoreline to shoreline, the transformation has been amazing.

The New NY Bridge project is reaching new heights this summer as half of the eight iconic main span towers grow closer to completion. The four massive concrete structures on the northern bridge now stand nearly 400 feet above the Hudson River, just a few dozen feet away from their final 419-foot height.

As millions of pounds of steel and concrete are installed above the Hudson River, the New NY Bridge project’s surveyors are using lasers and other state-of-the-art technology to ensure that these materials are placed with pinpoint precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Will there be a period when there is no Tappan Zee Bridge to cross?      
A:
No. The plan is to always have a bridge open to traffic during and after construction. Tappan Zee Constructors is currently building both new bridges just north of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The new northern span will be completed first and then all traffic will be temporarily shifted from the existing bridge onto the new northern span. The new northern span will be 96 feet wide with enough space for 8 temporary lanes and a center safety divider. Once the landings of the existing bridge are torn down and the pre-built southern span is connected to the landings, then half the traffic will be shifted off the northern span. In the final condition, each new span will have 4 general traffic lanes (all 12 feet wide), breakdown lanes, emergency access/bus lanes and the northern span will include a bike/pedestrian path.

Video Captures the New NY Bridge Progress!

Three Years in Two Minutes

New Video Captures Construction Progress

The New NY Bridge project has become a symbol for what the state can accomplish.

Watch the new twin-span crossing take shape during the past three years in this new time-lapse video. From steel girders to concrete towers, from piles to road deck, from shoreline to shoreline, the transformation has been amazing.

Initiated by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, the 3.1-mile New NY Bridge project is one of the largest active projects of its kind in the nation.

The time-lapse video debuted today as part of Governor’s Day at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, a 12-day celebration that shares the best that New York State has to offer. For those visiting the State Fair, you can check out the video at the Governor’s booth.

The video is also available on the New NY Bridge project’s YouTube page.

Those interested in a closer look are also invited to view the daily project progress via the project’s webcams and photo gallery as well as by visiting the New NY Bridge construction viewing platforms at Scenic Hudson RiverWalk in Tarrytown and Memorial Park in Nyack.

http://www.newnybridge.com/three-years-in-two-minutes-new-video-captures-construction-progress/ 

Project Update: STAY CABLE INSTALLATION CONTINUES

TZ

For immediate release: August 4, 2016

STAY CABLE INSTALLATION CONTINUES
Work Progresses on Main Span

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) continues to install the new northbound bridge’s stay cable system. The stay cables are comprised of numerous metal strands, tightly packed in a protective sheath. After the initial installation process, TZC will install additional strands inside the sheath to provide further strength.

TZC will install new structural steel sections and stay cables on alternating sides of the towers as work continues. Precast concrete deck panels will also be placed in the erected steel sections to provide a base driving surface.

Maintenance Dock Construction
TZC will continue constructing a New York State Thruway Authority maintenance dock near the new bridge’s Rockland landing. The work involves partially dismantling the existing work trestle that was used to construct the northern span of the new bridge. Work will take place during daytime hours. The construction efforts are expected to conclude later this year.

Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) 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 in 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
  • Utility work at the Westchester landings
  • Girder assembly placement
  • Bridge road deck installation
  • Drainage structure installations
  • Maintenance facility construction in Tarrytown
  • Soil boring in South Nyack

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. The U.S. Coast Guard also has established a safety zone encompassing all navigable waters within a 200-yard radius of the largest machine on the project, the I Lift NY super crane, legally registered with the U.S. Coast Guard as the Left Coast Lifter.

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. The Eastern RNA will be extremely active and vessels transitioning to and from the eastern shoreline at Tarrytown should approach and depart to the north. The Western RNA will be impassable at times and mariners should stay clear of the area.

Boaters are strongly urged to use the center 600 feet of the main channel (when available) to navigate in a north-south direction with no wake at a maximum speed of five knots. Boaters should expect periodic partial closures of the main channel due to construction activities. Tune to Marine Radio Channel 22A for the latest U.S. Coast Guard advisories.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Mariners are advised to stay clear of all overhead work and maintain a safe distance of 1,000 feet from all construction equipment and support vessels. In addition, all bridge piers and abutments are protected by a 25-yard security zone.

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 and construction site map can be found at NewNYBridge.com/Boater. 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.

###

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New NY Bridge Project August 2016 Newsletter

August 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
  |    Home   |    Archives

The outline of the new twin-span crossing is emerging this summer as the project continues to make remarkable progress on the Hudson River. The Rockland and Westchester approaches continue to grow with rows of steel girders and hundreds of precast road deck panels. At the main span towers, crews are also installing sections of steel and roadway, and preparing the area for the new stay cable system.

The New York State Thruway Authority announced that Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC has completed installation of the first stay cables on the New NY Bridge project. The stay cables, along with the 419-foot towers, will be the most prominent features of the new 3.1-mile structure. The first two stay cables were installed by TZC on the new northbound bridge’s main span on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

In just half a year, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC has transformed the New NY Bridge project site by connecting piers, installing road deck panels and doubling the height of the new main span towers. The iconic structures now rise above the existing Tappan Zee Bridge, with TZC preparing to install the first of nearly 200 stay cables.

With summer in full swing, the New NY Bridge project is making its most visible advancements to date. Those keen on observing the progress firsthand have a “front row seat” to the action, through the project’s viewing platforms and outreach centers in Tarrytown and Nyack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Why does the current Tappan Zee Bridge need to be replaced?     
A:
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge opened to traffic in 1955 and is a vital artery for residents, commuters, travelers, and commercial traffic. The bridge, which was designed to carry up to 100,000 vehicles per day, currently handles an average of 140,000 daily, and traffic congestion and delays are regular occurrences. Heavy traffic, narrow lanes and the lack of emergency shoulders contribute to congestion and frustration for motorists and can create unsafe driving conditions. As a result, the bridge has twice the average accident rate per mile as the rest of the 574-mile Thruway system. In recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to maintain and repair the bridge. If the current bridge were not being replaced, the state would need to spend an additional $3 to $4 billion over the next 20 years to ensure its structural integrity.
Get Your E-ZPass ® 

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View the latest issues of the
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates

TZ Bridge Tour _ Rand Commercial Day of Learning 7.18.2016

A view from the Hudson River is the best way to view the progress of the New NY Bridge . Rand Commercial agents spent the day navigating the waters and learning about the bridge building process. We lunched and saw the amazing progress that has been made and the daunting task that lies ahead.  A very special “thank you” to Dan Marcy of the New NY Bridge Project who guided us thru the site tour.

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New NY Bridge Monthly Newsletter July 2016

July 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
  |    Home   |    Archives

Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) has begun building the roadway for the new bridge’s main span.
In June, TZC installed four large pre-assembled sections of steel, weighing nearly 340,000 pounds each, atop the main span crossbeams. These steel segments will allow the team to build out from the towers one section at a time, attaching stay cables to the structure along the way. Precast concrete deck panels will be placed in the erected steel sections to provide a base driving surface.
The New NY Bridge project has made extraordinary progress over the past year, with more than a mile of steel girders in place and new towers rising above the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. You can see the transformation for yourself in this narrated video.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that “Alternative F” was selected as the design for the New NY Bridge project’s shared-use path connections in Westchester and Rockland. The decision followed a thorough review of the alternative’s impacts and benefits to the local communities.

This Independence Day weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard, the New York State Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) and local law enforcement are reminding boaters of the safety measures near the extremely active work site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How much will the new bridge cost?    
A:
The project cost is $3.98 billion. This includes bridge design-builder Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC’s (TZC) contract cost of $3.142 billion and $600 to $800 million in owner’s (New York State Thruway Authority) costs, which cover project management, oversight, a contingency fund and some financing costs.

Continues Cashless Tolling System Now In Effect

The new NY bridge

Tarrytown Toll Plaza Demolition ContinuesCashless Tolling System Now In Effect

http://www.newnybridge.com/tarrytown-toll-plaza-demolition-continues-cashless-tolling-system-now-in-effect/Demolition of the deactivated toll plaza in Tarrytown continues as Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) removes the toll plaza structures on the four right-most lanes of the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) in preparation for the next shift in traffic, which is scheduled to occur in late May.

Survey work in the area will necessitate a midday lane closure, detailed in the chart below.

LANE CLOSURES NEAR THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Tue., 5/10 10 a.m. – One right lane 3 p.m. Southbound Thruway
near the former toll plaza

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 visithttp://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/ for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

Tarrytown Toll Plaza Demolition Continues Cashless Tolling System Now In Effect

TARRYTOWN TOLL PLAZA DEMOLITION CONTINUES

update

For immediate release: May 5, 2016

TARRYTOWN TOLL PLAZA DEMOLITION CONTINUES
Cashless Tolling System Now In Effect

Demolition of the deactivated toll plaza in Tarrytown continues as Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) removes the toll plaza structures on the four right-most lanes of the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) in preparation for the next shift in traffic, which is scheduled to occur in late May.

Survey work in the area will necessitate a midday lane closure, detailed in the chart below.

Lane Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Tue., 5/10 10 a.m. – One right lane 3 p.m. Southbound Thruway
near the former toll plaza

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.

 

May 2016 New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

May 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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The pair of peregrine falcons that live in a man-made nest box on the existing Tappan Zee Bridge became proud parents once again with the hatching of a nestling on April 10.
The New NY Bridge project team is inviting members of the public to help name the new falcon chick.
A week-long naming contest is now underway on the project’s Falcon Cam webpage. Rockland and Westchester students came up with the names.

On Sunday April 24, travelers on the Tappan Zee Bridge said goodbye to the lines at the Tarrytown toll plaza thanks to cashless tolling. The state-of-the-art technology created a new traffic pattern in the area, eliminating the need for toll booths and speeding commutes across the river.

Rows of towering piers stand in procession across the Hudson River as the New NY Bridge project steadily moves ahead.

Years of hard work and careful planning on the New NY Bridge project are paying off as Tappan Zee Constructors recorded several construction milestones.

Workers on the New NY Bridge project are making swift progress installing steel girders thanks, in part, to recent good weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What is Cashless Tolling?    
A:
The new cashless tolling system allows motorists to pay their toll while maintaining highway speeds on the Tappan Zee Bridge. The system collects tolls via E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail, detecting classes of vehicles and applying the correct charge.
If you have E-ZPass, your toll is collected using the same process that you are already familiar with. If you don’t have E-ZPass, cameras photograph your vehicle’s license plate as it passes under the overhead equipment. A bill is then automatically sent to the registered owner by U.S. Mail.
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NEW NY BRIDGE APRIL 2016 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

April 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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The new bridge moved another giant step forward this month as Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) installed the fourth and final concrete crossbeam on the main span. In addition to supporting the future road deck, the massive precast beams will reinforce the outward-angled towers as they grow to their ultimate 419-foot height.

Rockland and Westchester residents voiced their opinions at a pair of public meetings this March as the New NY Bridge team presented detailed information regarding the proposed alternatives for the Shared-Use Path (SUP) parking facilities and connections in the villages of South Nyack and Tarrytown.

Living up to its safety motto, “Take Zero Chances,” Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) recently held safety meetings with every member of its New NY Bridge project crew.

Since the start of construction of the New NY Bridge in 2013, the project’s outreach team has partnered with local schools to engage nearly 40,000 students. The team’s presentations highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics-collectively known as the STEM fields-to the design and construction of the twin-span bridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What is Cashless Tolling, and when will it take effect on the Tappan Zee Bridge?    
A:
Beginning on April 23, 2016, the new cashless tolling system will allow motorists to pay their toll while maintaining highway speeds on the Tappan Zee Bridge. The system will collect tolls via E-ZPass or Tolls by Mail, detecting classes of vehicles and applying the correct charge.
If you have E-ZPass, your toll is collected using the same process that you are already familiar with. If you don’t have E-ZPass, cameras photograph your vehicle’s license plate as it passes under the overheard equipment. A bill is then automatically sent to the registered owner by U.S. Mail.
Get Your E-ZPass ® 

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New NY Bridge Magazine
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Call the Project Hotline
1-855-TZBRIDGE
(1-855-892-7434)

Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website

Email Us
Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY
Memorial Park, Nyack, NY
©2016 New York State Thruway Authority

The New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter_March

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March 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives

Residents and other interested stakeholders are invited to attend Public Hearings to comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Shared-Use Path Parking Facilities and Bicycle/Pedestrian Connections in the Villages of South Nyack and Tarrytown.

The New NY Bridge project has begun clearing the way for the construction of a state-of-the-art building that will be used for maintenance of the new three-mile crossing, which will carry billions of vehicles over the Hudson River during the next century.

This winter, volunteers from Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) are lending their time and talent to Habitat for Humanity of Westchester’s latest endeavor: top-to-bottom renovations of homes for Iraq War veterans and their families.

After months of steady progress on the main span towers, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has begun installing enormous concrete crossbeams between the iconic towers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Will the bridge look exactly like the artist’s rendering that have been made public?   
A:
Yes, overall the general design of the bridge will look similar to the artist rendering but it is subject to refinement as part of the design-build process. A Visual Quality Panel has been established to gather and consider public input and make recommendations on such characteristics as surface finishes, colors, lighting design, landscaping, and the shared-use bike and pedestrian path.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the
New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow Us on Twitter

Call the Project Hotline
1-855-TZBRIDGE
(1-855-892-7434)

Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website

Email Us
Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY
Memorial Park, Nyack, NY
©2016 New York State Thruway Authority

The New NY Bridge February Newsletter!

February 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ISSUE!

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) recently installed the 650th concrete road deck panel for the westbound span. TZC began placing the panels in early October and is on track to install an additional 6,000 panels by year’s end. The work is occurring on top of recently-installed steel-blue girders, which continue to advance across the Hudson River.

MAIN SPAN TOWERS REACH NEW MILESTONE

update

PROJECT UPDATE

For immediate release: Feb. 4, 2016

MAIN SPAN TOWERS REACH NEW MILESTONE
Overnight Lane and Ramp Closures on Southbound Thruway (I-87/I-287)

Next week, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will begin the installation of four precast concrete crossbeams that will connect the new bridge’s main span towers and support its future road deck. The crossbeams were fabricated by Coastal Precast Systems in Chesapeake, Virginia, and barged to the project site last week. The precast materials will be set in place with the I Lift NY super crane, one of the few marine cranes in the world capable of the massive job.

Demolition of Thruway Maintenance Facility
TZC will begin demolition of the New York State Thruway Authority’s former maintenance offices in Tarrytown. Bridge maintenance teams currently operate from a temporary facility near exit 12 in West Nyack. The demolition will make way for a new maintenance facility and office building, which will begin construction this spring.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Field testing of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland will continue throughout the coming week near the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) and exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramps to the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287).

The testing will necessitate closing the on-ramps during the overnights of Thursday, Feb. 4, through Friday, Feb. 12. Drivers will be directed to use the exit 12 (West Nyack – NY Route 303 – Palisades Center Drive) on-ramp from Route 303 in West Nyack, as shown in the graphic below. Signs will be posted to advise motorists of the detour route.

In addition, the work will require overnight closures of up to three lanes of the southbound Thruway throughout the remainder of this week and during the coming week. Specific lane and ramp closure times are detailed in the chart below.

The AETC system is expected to be activated this spring.

 

 

UPDATE: ALL-ELECTRONIC TOLLING FACILITY WORK

For immediate release: Feb. 1, 2016

UPDATE: ALL-ELECTRONIC TOLLING FACILITY WORK
Multiple Overnight Lane and Ramp Closures on Southbound Thruway (I-87/I-287)

Field testing of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland is underway near the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) and exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramps to the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287).

The testing will necessitate closing the on-ramps during the overnights of Monday, Feb. 1, and Wednesday, Feb. 3, through Sunday, Feb. 7. Drivers will be directed to use the exit 12 (West Nyack – NY Route 303 – Palisades Center Drive) on-ramp from Route 303 in West Nyack, as shown in the graphic below. Signs will be posted to advise motorists of the detour route.

In addition, the work will require overnight closures of up to three lanes of the southbound Thruway throughout the remainder of this week. Specific lane and ramp closure times are detailed in the chart below.

The AETC system is expected to be activated this spring.

Lane and Ramp Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Mon., 2/1 8 p.m. – Two right lanes
11 p.m. – Three right lanes
5 a.m., Tue., 2/2 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Mon., 2/1 9 p.m. – Ramp closures 5 a.m., Tue., 2/2 Southbound
exit 10 and 11 on-ramps
Wed., 2/3 8 p.m. – Two right lanes
11 p.m. – Three right lanes
5 a.m., Thu., 2/4 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Wed., 2/3 9 p.m. – Ramp closures 5 a.m., Thu., 2/4 Southbound
exit 10 and 11 on-ramps
Thu., 2/4 8 p.m. – Two right lanes
11 p.m. – Three right lanes
5 a.m., Fri., 2/5 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Thu., 2/4 9 p.m. – Ramp closures 5 a.m., Fri., 2/5 Southbound
exit 10 and 11 on-ramps
Fri., 2/5 8 p.m. – Two right lanes
12 a.m. – Three right lanes
6 a.m., Sat., 2/6 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Fri., 2/5 9 p.m. – Ramp closures 6 a.m., Sat., 2/6 Southbound
exit 10 and 11 on-ramps
Sat., 2/6 9 p.m. – Two right lanes
12 a.m. – Three right lanes
8 a.m., Sun., 2/7 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Sat., 2/6 9 p.m. – Ramp closures 6 a.m., Sun., 2/7 Southbound
exit 10 and 11 on-ramps
Sun., 2/7 10 p.m. – Two right lanes
1 a.m. – Three right lanes
5 a.m., Mon., 2/8 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Sun., 2/7 10 p.m. – Ramp closures 5 a.m., Mon 2/8 Southbound
exit 10 and 11 on-ramps

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.

 

THE NEW NY BRIDGE MAGAZINE!

 

THE NEW NY BRIDGE MAGAZINE

Here at the New NY Bridge project, one of our priorities is keeping members of the community, like you, informed throughout the construction process. To that end, we would like to share our Winter 2016 Magazine,which chronicles the project’s latest developments.

In this issue:

  • Project Update: Substructure Nears Completion
  • Construction Update: Forging Strength
  • Educational Outreach: Inspiring Young Minds

 

Please enjoy the New NY Bridge Magazine.

 

READ COMPLETE MAGAZINE ONLINE HERE

Lanes Remain Open on TZ Bridge thru the Holiday week3end

For immediate release: Dec. 22, 2015

ALL LANES OF NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM THURSDAY, DEC. 24 THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 27 TO EASE HOLIDAY TRAVEL

All lanes of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will remain open from Thursday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 27 to help New Yorkers reach their winter holiday destinations. The four-day, lane-closure-free period follows Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s “Drivers First” initiative, which gives priority to motorists by ensuring that disruptions associated with highway and bridge projects are kept as minimal as possible.

While Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue working in several areas of the project during the week of Dec. 22, none of the work will impede traffic. No construction work is scheduled for Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25. Safety and security teams will remain on site throughout the holiday period.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Construction of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland will continue this week near the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to the southbound Thruway. The work will require overnight closures of two lanes of the southbound Thruway on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23. Specific lane closure times are detailed in the chart below.

Lane Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Tue., 12/22 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Wed., 12/23 Southbound I-87/I-287
from exit 12 to exit 10
Wed., 12/23 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Thu., 12/24 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued construction of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. The construction work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

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

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.

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.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

###

The New NY Bridge Newsletter for December

   The New NY Bridge Newsletter for December


As the installation of road deck panels continues into the fall and steel-blue girders extend even further out over the Hudson River, the New NY Bridge continues its steady march towards completion. Another sign of progress: the increasingly noticeable height of the main span towers, which are growing closer to their ultimate height of 419 feet.

Tappan Zee Bridge Project Update

update

For immediate release: Dec. 3, 2015

INSTALLATION OF CONCRETE ROAD DECK CONTINUES
Overnight Closure of Southbound Exit 10 On-Ramp on Monday, Dec. 7

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will begin installing bridge road deck segments near the Rockland shoreline on Thursday, Dec. 10. Project cranes will lift the prefabricated deck panels into place atop previously-installed structural steel girders.

Safely accomplishing the work will require reducing River Road/Piermont Avenue to one lane during weekdays starting on Thursday of next week. Flag persons will keep traffic moving by alternating the directional flow between north and south. TZC will also periodically hold traffic on River Road/Piermont Avenue for 6-minute intervals through Friday, Dec. 18 to enable the safe movement of deck panels and other materials.

Nearly 6,000 high-strength concrete deck panels will be installed for the new crossing’s approach spans. The panels are prefabricated at an off-site location and barged down river from the project’s Port of Coeymans facility in Albany County. TZC will continue installing the approach span deck sections across the river over the coming year.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Construction of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland will continue near the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287). The work will necessitate closing the on-ramp during the overnight of Monday, Dec. 7. Drivers will be directed to use the on-ramp from Route 59 in Nyack, as shown in the graphic below. This and other work require the specific lane and ramp closures detailed in the chart below.

Lane and Ramp Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Thu., 12/3 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
5 a.m., Fri., 12/4 Southbound I-87/I-287
from exit 11 to exit 10
Fri., 12/4 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Sat., 12/5 Southbound
from exit 11 to exit 10
Mon., 12/7 7 p.m. – One right lane
8 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Tue., 12/8 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Mon., 12/7 9 p.m. – Ramp closure 5 a.m., Tue., 12/8 Southbound
exit 10 on-ramp
Wed., 12/9 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Thu., 12/10 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Thu., 12/10 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
5 a.m., Fri., 12/11 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Fri., 12/11 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
5 a.m., Sat., 12/12 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10

Steel Girder Installation
Next week, TZC will continue installing structural steel girder assemblies from the new bridge’s Westchester landing in Tarrytown. The assemblies will connect the future westbound span’s on-land abutment to the first offshore support pier in the Hudson River. TZC is installing the girders by literally pushing them west over the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line’s tracks toward the first pier in the river, as seen in this animation. As the operation progresses, additional girders are being connected to the assembly and pushed farther westward. TZC is closely coordinating the effort with Metro-North Railroad, ensuring that the operation maximizes safety for both workers and the public and minimizes impacts to rail service.

The remaining work over the Metro-North tracks will occur during a Friday overnight later this month, with the entire operation anticipated to conclude by the end of the year. Metro-North has adjusted its schedule slightly to allow the work to be completed. TZC will suspend construction activities when commuter trains pass through the area, resuming when given the “all clear” instruction by Metro-North.

The I Lift NY super crane will continue placing larger girder assemblies across the river, averaging two placements a week. A total of 31 miles of steel girders cumulatively weighing more than 100,000 tons will be installed for the new twin-span bridge.

Tower Construction
Construction will continue on the new bridge’s iconic towers, which will eventually rise 419 feet above the river. Innovative self-climbing jump forms enable TZC workers to build the towers in segments that progressively “jump” up from the foundations to their full height. Within the jump forms, workers assemble steel reinforcement cages that are then encased in concrete, one segment atop the previous one and so on. Eight towers will be constructed on the project’s football-field-long main span pile caps over the coming year, as seen in this animation.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued construction of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. The construction work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Additional work includes:

  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Rockland landing retaining walls
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work

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.

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.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

###

PROJECT UPDATE – WESTCHESTER GIRDER INSTALLATION

update

For immediate release: Nov. 19, 2015

WESTCHESTER GIRDER INSTALLATION OVER METRO-NORTH RAILROAD TRACKS CONTINUES THIS FRIDAY EVENING
Overnight Closures of the I-87/I-287 Exit 10 On-Ramp Scheduled for Nov. 19 and Nov. 20

Next week, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue installing structural steel girder assemblies from the new bridge’s Westchester landing in Tarrytown. The assemblies will connect the future westbound span’s on-land abutment to the first offshore support pier in the Hudson River. TZC is installing the girders by literally pushing them west over the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line’s tracks toward the first pier in the river, as seen in this animation. As the operation progresses, additional girders are being connected to the assembly and pushed farther westward. TZC is closely coordinating the effort with Metro-North Railroad, ensuring that the operation maximizes safety for both workers and the public and minimizes impacts to rail service.

With the entire operation anticipated to conclude by the end of the year, the remaining work over the Metro-North tracks will occur during two Friday overnights, with the next scheduled for this Friday evening, Nov. 20. Metro-North has adjusted its schedule slightly to allow the work to be completed. TZC will suspend construction activities when commuter trains pass through the area, resuming when given the “all clear” instruction by Metro-North.

Across the river, TZC has completed steel girder installation near the Rockland shoreline, connecting the new bridge’s abutment to already-installed support structures in the Hudson River.

The I Lift NY super crane will continue placing larger girders across the river, averaging two placements a week. A total of 31 miles of steel girders cumulatively weighing more than 100,000 tons will be installed for the new twin-span bridge.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Construction of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland will continue near the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287). The work will necessitate closing the on-ramp during the overnights of Thursday, Nov. 19 and Friday, Nov. 20. Drivers will be directed to use the on-ramp from Route 59 in Nyack, as shown in the graphic below. No lane closures are planned for this work next week.

Ramp Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Thu., 11/19 9 p.m. – Ramp Closure 5 a.m., Fri., 11/20 Southbound I-87/I-287
exit 10 on-ramp
Fri., 11/20 9 p.m. – Ramp Closure 5 a.m., Sat., 11/21 Southbound
exit 10 on-ramp

Tower Construction
Construction will continue on the new bridge’s iconic towers, which will eventually rise 419 feet above the river. Innovative self-climbing jump forms enable TZC workers to build the towers in segments that progressively “jump” up from the foundations to their full height. Within the jump forms, workers assemble steel reinforcement cages that are then encased in concrete, one segment atop the previous one and so on. Eight towers will be constructed on the project’s football-field-long main span pile caps over the coming year, as seen in this animation.

Deck Panel Installation
TZC is continuing to install nearly 6,000 high-strength concrete deck segments for the new crossing’s approach spans. Project cranes are lifting the prefabricated deck panels into place atop previously-installed structural steel girders. The deck segments are prefabricated at an off-site location and barged down river from the project’s Port of Coeymans facility in Albany County. TZC will continue installing the approach span deck sections over the coming year.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued removal of the noise walls located along the northbound Thruway and the construction of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road in South Nyack. The work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Additional work includes:

  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work

Boater Safety
Westchester and Rockland Marine Units are continuing extensive 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

###

Project Update: Electronic Tolling System Requires Overnight Closures

For immediate release: Nov. 12, 2015

THRUWAY UNVEILS UPDATED PROJECT WEBSITE
All-Electronic Tolling System Work Requires Overnight Closure of Exit 10 On-Ramp on Friday, Nov. 20

The New York State Thruway Authority launched an updated NewNYBridge.com this week, featuring an easier-to-navigate interface, a comprehensive archive of project photos, videos and renderings, and a wealth of background information covering how the new crossing was studied and designed and is being built. Visit the new site and check back frequently for the latest updates on the fast-moving construction progress.

Steel Girder Installation
Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue installing steel girders near the Rockland shoreline, connecting the new bridge’s abutment to already-installed support structures in the Hudson River. Safely accomplishing the work will require reducing River Road/Piermont Avenue to one lane during weekdays between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flag persons will keep traffic moving by alternating the directional flow between north and south. TZC also will hold traffic on River Road once daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for up to 20 minutes through Wednesday, Nov. 18 to enable the safe movement of girders and other materials.

Across the river, TZC will continue installing structural steel girder assemblies from the new bridge’s Westchester landing in Tarrytown. The assemblies will connect the future westbound span’s on-land abutment to the first offshore support pier in the Hudson River. TZC is installing the girders by literally pushing them west over the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line’s tracks toward the first pier in the river, as seen in this animation. As the operation progresses, additional girders are being connected to the assembly and pushed farther westward. TZC is closely coordinating the effort with Metro-North, ensuring that the operation maximizes safety for both workers and the public and minimizes impacts to rail service.

With the entire operation anticipated to conclude by the end of the year, the remaining work over the Metro-North tracks will occur during two Friday overnights, one in November and one in December. The work will be announced in advance to enable Metro-North riders to plan ahead. Metro-North has adjusted its schedule slightly to allow the work to be completed. TZC will suspend construction activities when trains pass through the area, resuming when given the “all clear” instruction by Metro-North.

Additionally, the I Lift NY super crane will continue placing larger girders across the Hudson River, averaging two placements a week. A total of 31 miles of steel girders cumulatively weighing more than 100,000 tons will be installed for the new twin-span bridge.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Construction of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland will continue near the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287). The work will necessitate closing the on-ramp during the overnight of Friday, Nov. 20. Drivers will be directed to use the on-ramp from Route 59 in Nyack, as shown in the graphic below. The work also requires double-lane closures during weekday overnights from Monday, Nov. 16 through Thursday, Nov. 19. This and other work require the specific lane and ramp closures detailed in the chart below.

Lane and Ramp Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Thu., 11/12 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
6 a.m., Fri., 11/13 Southbound I-87/I-287
from exit 12 to exit 10
Fri., 11/13 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
6 a.m., Sat., 11/14 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Mon., 11/16 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Tue., 11/17 Southbound
5 a.m., Tue., 11/17
Tue. 11/17 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Wed., 11/18 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Wed., 11/18 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
5 a.m., Thu., 11/19 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Thu., 11/19 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
5 a.m., Fri., 11/20 Southbound
from exit 12 to exit 10
Fri., 11/20 9 p.m. – Ramp closure 5 a.m., Sat., 11/21 Southbound
exit 10 on-ramp

Tower Construction
Construction will continue on the new bridge’s iconic towers, which will eventually rise 419 feet above the river. Innovative self-climbing jump forms enable TZC workers to build the towers in segments that progressively “jump” up from the foundations to their full height. Within the jump forms, workers assemble steel reinforcement cages that are then encased in concrete, one segment atop the previous one and so on. Eight towers will be constructed on the project’s football-field-long main span pile caps over the coming year, as seen in this animation.

Deck Panel Installation
TZC is continuing to install nearly 6,000 high-strength concrete deck segments for the new crossing’s approach spans. Project cranes are lifting the prefabricated deck panels into place atop previously-installed structural steel girders. The deck segments are prefabricated at an off-site location and barged down river from the project’s Port of Coeymans facility in Albany County. TZC will continue installing the approach span deck sections over the coming year.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued construction of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road in South Nyack. The work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Additional work includes:

  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work

Boater Safety
Westchester and Rockland Marine Units are continuing extensive 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

###

The New NY Bridge November 2015 Newsletter

November 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives 

As more and more piers are connected by steel-blue girder assemblies, the New NY Bridge project’s iconic towers continue to advance skyward.

As the summer turns to fall in the Lower Hudson Valley, progress continues to march forward on the New NY Bridge project. More and more of the high strength structural steel-blue girder assemblies are being placed across the Hudson River by Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC), largely with the help of the massive I Lift NY super crane. At both shorelines, however-where shallow waters prevent the use of the super crane-alternate methods were necessary, including the use of construction platforms. The Westchester landing posed a further shoreline challenge: how to safely install the girders over the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line tracks?

While most of the new bridge’s steel-blue girder assemblies are being placed across the Hudson River with the barge-based I Lift NY super crane, the location from the Westchester landing to the first pier in the river is inaccessible to the monumental machine. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC is using an innovative yet simple alternative method to install the girders in this area, as detailed in this video.

New NY Bridge fans looking for a firsthand view of construction from the Rockland shoreline now have a “front row seat” to the action. Nyack’s new fishing pier at Memorial Park is now open and offers spectators a sweeping view of the Hudson River and the bustling project site.

After successfully installing structural steel girders between the Westchester abutment and a nearby pier, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) moved forward with the next stage of operations this week. In a remarkable feat of engineering, crews carefully pushed the massive steel-blue materials further west, over the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line and toward the next pier in the Hudson River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Why does the current Tappan Zee Bridge need to be replaced? 
A:
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge opened to traffic in 1955 and is a vital artery for residents, commuters, travelers, and commercial traffic. The bridge, which was designed to carry up to 100,000 vehicles per day, currently handles an average of 138,000 daily, and traffic congestion and delays are regular occurrences. Heavy traffic, narrow lanes and the lack of emergency shoulders contribute to congestion and frustration for motorists and can create unsafe driving conditions. As a result, the bridge has twice the average accident rate per mile as the rest of the 574-mile Thruway system. In recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to maintain and repair the bridge. If the current bridge were not being replaced, the state would need to spend an additional $3 to $4 billion over the next 20 years to ensure its structural integrity.

BRIDGE BUILDERS PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE HURRICANE

update

For immediate release: Oct. 1, 2015

BRIDGE BUILDERS PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE HURRICANE
Marine Construction Work Temporarily Halted for Safety

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is preparing for the potential effects of Hurricane Joaquin, which forecasters say could hit the Hudson Valley region in the coming days. In advance of the storm’s approach, TZC is implementing its storm preparedness plans, temporarily halting marine construction operations and the movement of construction materials, while securing the job site to prevent possible storm damage. By closely monitoring weather conditions and taking appropriate action in advance, TZC will ensure both worker and public safety while minimizing any potential storm-related downtime on the project.

TZC’s inclement weather preparation protocols include having tug boats on the water at all times, inspecting and adjusting all mooring lines, inspecting crane barges and securing all equipment, moving the large majority of cranes to shallow water moorings and taking all smaller crew boats out of the water. Additionally throughout every storm, TZC uses video and GPS to monitor the entire fleet of project vessels from its security operations center.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Albany to monitor severe weather that is anticipated to impact southern parts of New York State beginning today and potentially lasting through this weekend.
Additional New York State storm preparedness updates can be found here:
http://www.governor.ny.gov/news

The following construction operations planned for next week will proceed as weather allows:

Steel Girder Installation
TZC will continue installing steel girders near the South Nyack shoreline. Safely accomplishing the work will require reducing River Road to one lane during weekdays between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flag persons will keep traffic moving by alternating the directional flow between north and south.

Smaller girder sections will be lifted into place by cranes from the Rockland trestle. Ironworkers then bolt together the girders and cross beams that will support the new bridge’s concrete road deck. In deeper water, the I Lift NY super crane will continue placing larger girders, averaging two placements a week.

A total of 31 miles of steel girders cumulatively weighing more than 100,000 tons will be installed for the new twin-span bridge.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Construction of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) system in Rockland County will continue next week with the installation of an overhead gantry above the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287). The work necessitates overnight double-lane closures throughout the coming week. Specific lane closures are listed in the chart below.

 

Lane Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Mon., 10/5 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
6 a.m., Tue., 10/6 Southbound I-87/I-287
from exits 12 to 10
Tue., 10/6 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
6 a.m., Wed., 10/7 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Wed., 10/7 8 p.m. – One left lane
9 p.m. – Two left lanes
6 a.m., Thu., 10/8 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Thu., 10/8 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Fri., 10/9 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Fri., 10/9 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Sat., 10/10 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10

Tower Construction
The new bridge’s iconic towers will continue rising toward their ultimate height of 419 feet, aided by self-climbing jump forms. The state-of-the-art forms enable TZC workers to build the towers in segments that progressively “jump” up from the foundations to their full height. Within the jump forms, workers assemble steel reinforcement cages that are then encased in concrete, one segment atop the previous one and so on. Eight towers will be constructed on the project’s football-field-long main span pile caps over the coming year, as seen in this animation.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued installation of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road in South Nyack. The work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Additional work includes:

  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work

Boater Safety
Westchester and Rockland Marine Units are continuing extensive 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visithttp://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/ for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

###

The New NY Bridge Newsletter October 2015

October 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives 

Building on remarkable construction achievements so far, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is now beginning work on the new bridge’s striking main span towers. Utilizing self-climbing jump forms, TZC will construct the 419-foot towers in continuously-rising segments throughout the coming year.

In addition to employing more than 3,000 people to date, the nation’s largest bridge and highway project is enlisting the talents of the next generation of engineers, designers and builders. Through ongoing college internship programs, both the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC are engaging bright young minds to learn from, and contribute to, the New NY Bridge project.

Bridge builders are using 3D technology to create the New NY Bridge in a virtual world. By utilizing state-of-the-art building information modeling (BIM), designers can handle an astonishing amount of information with the utmost efficiency.

The New NY Bridge project educational outreach initiative recently kicked off its third year with a focus on the teamwork and innovation required to build the nation’s largest bridge and highway project. As in previous years, the outreach team will engage students throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, visiting classrooms and hosting outdoor lectures at the project’s construction viewing platforms in Rockland and Westchester counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Will the bridge look exactly like the artist’s renderings that have been made public? 
A:
The design of the bridge is subject to refinement as part of the design-build process. A Visual Quality Panel has been established to gather and consider public input and make recommendations on such characteristics as surface finishes, colors, lighting design, landscaping, and the shared-use bike and pedestrian path.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates

Project Update: ICONIC BRIDGE TOWERS CONTINUE RISING

For immediate release: Sept. 10, 2015

ICONIC BRIDGE TOWERS CONTINUE RISING
Preparations for Girder Placement to Temporarily Reduce River Road to One Lane

Next week, the new bridge’s towers will continue rising toward their ultimate height of 419 feet, thanks to self-climbing jump forms. The state-of-the-art forms enable Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) workers to build the towers in segments that progressively “jump” up from the foundations to their full height. Within the jump forms, workers assemble steel reinforcement cages that are then encased in concrete, one segment atop the previous one and so on. Eight towers will be constructed on the project’s football-field-long main span pile caps over the coming year, as seen in this animation.

Structural Steel Installation
In preparation for the placement of the new bridge’s westernmost steel girders over River Road in South Nyack, TZC will reduce River Road to one lane between 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday of next week. Flag persons will keep traffic moving by alternating the directional flow between north and south.

The installation of girders over the river will continue next week and beyond. Smaller girder sections will be lifted into place by cranes from the Rockland trestle near the South Nyack shoreline. Ironworkers then bolt together the steel-blue girders and cross beams that support the new bridge’s concrete road deck. The I Lift NY super crane will continue placing larger girders, averaging two placements a week. A total of 31 miles of steel girders cumulatively weighing more than 100,000 tons will be installed for the new twin-span bridge.

All-Electronic Toll Collection Gantry Work
Construction of the project’s temporary all-electronic toll collection system in Rockland County is continuing with the installation of roadway sensors during the week of Sept. 14.

Specific lane and ramp closure times are listed in the chart below.

I-287/I-87 Lane and Ramp Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Fri., 9/11 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Sat., 9/12 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Mon., 9/14 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Tue., 9/15 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Tue., 9/15 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Wed., 9/16 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Wed., 9/16 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Thu., 9/17 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Thu., 9/17 9 p.m. – One right lane
10 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Fri, 9/18 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10
Fri., 9/18 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
6 a.m., Sat., 9/19 Southbound
from exits 12 to 10

Dredging Operations
TZC will continue the second stage of dredging operations near the Westchester shoreline next week as part of the preparation for removing the existing bridge and completing the landing of the new southern span. Dredging is allowed during a three-month period from August 1 to October 31 in specified locations and will be conducted 24/7 to complete the required dredging during the short window of time. The window was established to avoid impacting migration and spawning patterns of endangered sturgeon and other fish species.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued installation of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road in South Nyack. The work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Additional work includes:

  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work

Boater Safety
Westchester and Rockland Marine Units are continuing extensive 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

###

 

 
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Steel Girder Installation Continues

For immediate release: August 20, 2015

STEEL GIRDER INSTALLATION CONTINUES NEAR THE ROCKLAND LANDING

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue installing structural steel girders for the New NY Bridge project next week. Smaller girder sections will be lifted into place by cranes from the Rockland trestle near the South Nyack shoreline. Local ironworkers will then bolt together the steel blue girders and cross beams that will support the new bridge’s concrete road deck.

In addition, the I Lift NY super crane will continue placing larger girder assemblies next week and beyond, averaging two placements a week. A total of 31 miles of steel girders cumulatively weighing more than 100,000 tons will be installed for the new twin-span bridge.

Two northbound lanes of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will be closed during the overnights of Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25 across the existing Tappan Zee Bridge to facilitate surveying efforts.

I-287/I-87 Lane and Ramp Closures on the Tappan Zee Bridge

DATE: CLOSURES BEGIN: CLOSURES END: LOCATION:
Mon., 8/24 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Tue., 8/25 Northbound Across the
Tappan Zee Bridge
Tue., 8/25 8 p.m. – One right lane
9 p.m. – Two right lanes
5 a.m., Wed., 8/26 Northbound Across the
Tappan Zee Bridge

Dredging Operations Continue
TZC will continue the second stage of dredging operations near the Westchester shoreline as part of the preparation for removing the existing bridge and completing the landing of the new southern span. Dredging is allowed during a three-month period from August 1 to October 31 in specified locations and will be conducted 24/7 to complete the required dredging during the short window of time. The window was established to avoid impacting migration and spawning patterns of endangered sturgeon and other fish species.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week also will see continued installation of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road in S. Nyack. The work will involve drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Placement of Steel Girder assemblies
  • Dredging
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work

Boater Safety
During the summer months, Westchester and Rockland Marine Units will add extra 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

 

New NY Bridge Project August 2015 Monthly Newsletter

An Aerial Tour:

Photos From Above Show Major Progress


The incredible progress on the New NY Bridge project is becoming more and more visible every day. Residents are literally seeing engineering history in the making. As part of their design-build contract with the New York State Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is documenting the construction using both still photography and video. TZC regularly uses a helicopter to get a bird’s eye view of the worksite and you can now see the new twin-span bridge rising out of the Hudson River in this slideshow.

READ MORE

As travelers approach the Tappan Zee Bridge from Rockland County, they will soon get a glimpse of the future: An overhead gantry and related equipment is being installed at exit 10 on the southbound New York State Thruway in South Nyack for a temporary all-electronic toll collection (AETC) facility. Following a series of tests this fall, the system will be activated in spring 2016, enabling motorists to pay their toll while maintaining highway speeds. Like the Model-T and the 8-track tape player, the inconvenience of stopping or slowing down to pay a toll soon will be a thing of the past.

 

READ MORE

Over 60 million pounds of steel bars will fortify the new bridge, more than three times as much steel as is in the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Each of the reinforcing steel bars, called rebar, is treated through a process called “hot-dip galvanization” that provides additional protection against rusting.

 

 READ MORE

By the sweat of their brow, construction workers have made impressive progress on the New NY Bridge project. But with near triple digit temperatures increasingly becoming the norm, keeping more than 1,000 workers on the Hudson River at any given time hydrated is of paramount importance.

 

READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What will happen to the current bridge? 
A:
The current Tappan Zee Bridge will be carefully dismantled, and the structural steel will be recycled. The concrete deck panels, which have been replaced in recent years, will be reused where possible on other Thruway and state Department of Transportation projects.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Call the Project Hotline

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Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

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©2015 New York State Thruway Authority

Tappan Zee Bridge Zipper’s days are numbered

A big yellow bus ran into the wall on the Tappan Zee Bridge, the caller tells the 911 operator.

“It’s not a bus. It’s us,” says Richie Lynch of Valley Cottage, one of the drivers of the barrier-moving machine that is still a strange sight for the uninitiated, even 22 years after first arriving on the bridge. Callers regularly report the vehicle as an accident in progress, Lynch says.

“Some people drive by and take pictures,” says Lynch, who has worked on the bridge for 25 years. “We get a lot of thumbs-ups for giving them the extra lane. And we get a different salute when we’re running late.”

Some call it “The Zipper” — because it acts like a zipper does, sliding the barrier from one spot to another — but Lynch and the four other members of the barrier team just call it “the barrier mover.”

Whatever the name, the 52-foot-long, million-dollar vehicle is now part of the bridge, a welcome sight for bumper-to-bumper commuters on whom it bestows a somewhat speedier ride through the Tappan Zee bottleneck, creating four lanes where there were three. It makes about 600 crossings a year.

In January, a Zipper was added to San Francisco’s storied Golden Gate Bridge. But the Tappan Zee Zipper’s days are numbered.

In December 2016, northbound traffic is scheduled to transfer to the new northbound span of the New New York Bridge. The two barrier movers — there’s an extra on standby, swapped in during maintenance — will be sold and will enter the lore of the Tappan Zee, alongside those pre-EZPass commutation booklets.

VIDEO BELOW: Ride inside the Zipper  

ALSO: What do the new TZ Bridge and a NASCAR track have in common? 

The Zippers — the second-generation of vehicle by California-based Lindsay Transportation Systems, in use since 2007 — move the wall 12 feet to the right, the width of a travel lane, in one fluid motion with every trip across the bridge. It used to take two machines to make the move.

The wall itself is second-generation, too. The original had concrete sections; today’s sections — there are 6,000 of them, each 3 feet long — are T-shaped steel shells with a concrete center.

There is so much more going on than meets the eye when the Tappan Zee Zipper is in motion. The barrier is shaped and reformed through hydraulics and an ingenious machine that acts like a chiropractor on a 3-mile-long Tappan Zee spine, adjusting and releasing tension in the wall — and in rush-hour traffic.

Driving and laying: The Zipper doesn’t drag the wall. It lifts it, snakes it through a double row of wheels in its undercarriage, and places it back on the deck. In a sort of push-me-pull-you configuration, a second driver — facing the shore from which the Zipper departed — “lays” the barrier back in position by keeping a wheel on one of the blue lines on the pavement.

“When you drive on it, all you’re doing is engaging it on the wheels and lifting it up,” Lynch says. “When it gets to the middle of the machine, that’s where it starts to shift it to the other side, and then the conveyor takes it down and sets it back onto the deck.”

“Bogey wheels:” The 104 wheels that engage the T-top and lift the barrier are called “bogey wheels” and glide the barrier up a railing under the vehicle and help it snake into its new position.

A “wow” in the wall: Ernie Feeney, a patrol supervisor and another original Zipper driver, says the wall sometimes gets a kink in it, when a motorist hits it.

“We call it a ‘wow,'” Feeney says. “Maybe somebody spun out and hit the wall. The wall gives now because it’s a giant centipede so your car doesn’t get totally wrecked like it used to be if you had a solid cement wall. A lot of people now just drive off with minor damage.”

When the barrier machine comes across, if there’s just a little “wow” in the wall, they can just drive straight through it. A bigger accident requires a wrecker and a push bar to get it close to its natural line.

Stop the Zipper: There are things that will stop the barrier in its tracks, Lynch says. “If there’s a jumper in the middle of the move, we’ll stop. If there’s a bad accident or if there’s an accident in the left lane or the two left lanes, sometimes we’ll bring the wall up to it and stop to protect them.”

Migration lines: Like rush-hour commuters, the barrier is under tension. There are yellow lines on the wall that correspond to lines on the deck. If these migration lines don’t line up, the Zipper driver can adjust huge capstan wheels to add or release tension in the wall to pull or push it back in line.

Hydraulics, Benjamin: “It’s all done by hydraulics,” Lynch says. “Your steering, your brakes, the drive motors, it’s all hydraulics. And those lines and fittings need to be checked every day to make sure they’re not leaking.”

Every 20 feet or so on the flat sections (and farther away on the inclines) there are single open-topped T sections. These “VLB sections” actually control the tension in strands of the barrier. They have hydraulic controls in them and open and close to allow strands of the wall to go slack and be moved. Think of it as pulling a 3-mile-long rope 20 feet at a time. On curves, there are more VLB sections to hold the curve in place until the machine reaches it.

No connection: The barrier mover isn’t connected to the wall. It has to drive onto the wall. When he’s driving, Lynch keeps a control bar centered over the wall ahead of him.

3 miles, 30 minutes: The move takes about 35 to 40 minutes, if the wall is in good shape. “If there’s more tension or compression, it might take a little longer because you have to go through it slower to make the adjustments,” Lynch says.

U-turns possible: Eagle-eyed drivers will notice three 45-foot sections of bridge where the T-tops appear to be hollow. There are three spots on the bridge — near either end and in the middle — where the barrier can be opened to allow for a U-turn.

Hello, I must be going: “The men and all of us are going to miss it,” Lynch says. “And I think the public’s gonna miss it, too. It’s nice to have an extra lane when you need it.”

NYS Thruway employee Rich Lynch drives the barrier-moving machine across the Tappan Zee Bridge, adding a lane northbound. Tania Savayan/The Journal News

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2015/07/16/tappan-zee-bridge-zipper-days-numbered/30142559/

The New NY Bridge July Newsletter

July 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives 

Heavy Metal:

Bridge Starts Taking Shape with Installation of First Section of Structural Steel


Following months of careful planning and with the use of the project’s king of cranes, the New NY Bridge team installed the span’s first section of structural steel on June 17: a 410-foot segment of welded girders that will support the road deck.

READ MORE

With the 2015 recreational boating season hitting full stride this weekend as boaters celebrate Independence Day on the water, the New NY Bridge project team and local law enforcement officials remain committed to helping all boaters navigate safely near the work area. Boaters are reminded to be extra vigilant around commercial vessels and the construction zone, especially the no-wake low-speed zone at the Tappan Zee Bridge.

 

READ MORE

Oyster reefs were once a predominant feature of the Hudson River, supporting vast and diverse communities of aquatic life. But past decades of pollution and overharvesting led to a decline in oyster populations in the area to near-extinction. In recent years, however, there have been promising signs of recovery.

 

 READ MORE

The addition of a third floating concrete batch plant this week enables the New NY Bridge project to shift into an even higher gear. Capable of delivering 180 cubic yards of concrete per hour – more than twice as much as the initial two batch plants combined – the new mixing platform will supply concrete for the new bridge’s remaining foundations and piers as well as its 419-foot towers, which will begin later this summer.

 

READ MORE

After a stunningly beautiful trip down the Hudson River, the first 12′ tall, 400′ long section of structural steel arrived at the New NY Bridge construction site on Thursday June 10, 2015. The girder sections, weighing up to 1,100 tons are assembled at the Port of Coeymans in Albany County and then barged to the project site. The trip can take from 12 to 20 hours depending on weather, tides and other conditions. The individual steel girders, totaling 31 miles in length before assembly, are all made in the USA and will support the road deck of the new twin span bridge. The girders will be set in place by the I Lift NY crane in the coming days.

 

 READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How can my company apply for subcontracting work on the project?
A:
Businesses interested in obtaining contracts for the New NY Bridge project should reach out to Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC through the TZC website, TappanZeeConstructors.com.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow Us on Twitter

@NewNYBridge

Call the Project Hotline

1-855-TZBRIDGE

(1-855-892-7434)

Community Outreach Centers

Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY

Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY

Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website
Email Us
Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

Next to the Tarrytown Senior Center at
240 West Main St.

©2015 New York State Thruway Authority

Holiday Traffic Update

update

For immediate release: July 1, 2015

NO LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED ON NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT OVER INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND

Multiple Lane Closures During the Overnights of the Week of July 6

In observance of the Independence Day holiday, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will suspend most construction activities over the Fourth of July weekend. Security and limited maintenance operations will continue throughout the project site. In accordance with New York State’s Drivers First initiative, no construction related lane closures are scheduled on or near the New NY Bridge project site from Thursday morning, July 2 to Monday night, July 6. Drivers First, launched in 2012, prioritizes the convenience of motorists to ensure that traffic disruptions are as minimal as possible for drivers at highway and bridge construction projects across the state.

Boater Safety With the 2015 boating season in full swing, the New NY Bridge project team urges all boaters to use caution on the Hudson River near the construction zone and to take advantage of the extensive safety-related information available on the project website including the 2015 New NY Bridge Boater Safety Guide.

Enhanced marine law enforcement patrols are in effect for the Independence Day holiday weekend. The U.S. Coast Guard, Westchester and Rockland County marine units will be patrolling the area urging all boaters to use caution and follow all safety regulations.

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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

Following the Holiday, Multiple-Lane Closures and Periodic Traffic Stops During the Overnights of Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10 During the overnight of Monday, July 6, lane restriping operations will require triple-lane closures of the northbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) from exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) to exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W). Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.

At least one lane will remain open at all times, except during periodic traffic stops lasting up to 10 minutes of all four lanes of the northbound Thruway near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W). To ensure the public’s safety, the New York State Police will stop and hold all traffic approaching the area immediately before the traffic stops go into effect. Motorists will be permitted to enter the Thruway from all ramps during the traffic stops.

Additionally the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) off-ramp from the northbound Thruway will also be closed during the overnight of Monday, July 6. Drivers will be directed to use exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) as shown below:

During the overnight of Tuesday, July 7, construction operations will require overnight double-lane closures of the northbound Thruway from exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) to exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W). Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.

At least one lane will remain open at all times, except during periodic traffic stops lasting up to 10 minutes of all four lanes of the northbound Thruway near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W.

During the overnights of Wednesday, July 8 through Friday, July 10, construction operations will require triple-lane closures of the southbound Thruway in the area of exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W). Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.

Additionally the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to the southbound Thruway will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the overnights of Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8. Drivers will be directed to use the on-ramp from Route 59 in Nyack, as shown in the following graphic.

Lane closures throughout the coming week are scheduled as follows:

I-287/I-87 Lane and Ramp Closures near the Tappan Zee Bridge
Date: Closures Begin: Closures End: Location:
Mon, 7/6 8 p.m. – One left lane

9 p.m. – Two left lanes

11 p.m. – Three left lanes

4:30 a.m., Tue, 7/7 Northbound,
from exit 9 to exit 11
Mon, 7/6 8 p.m. – Ramp closure 4:30 a.m., Tue, 7/7 Northbound,
exit 10 off-ramp
Tues, 7/7 8 p.m. – One left lane

9 p.m. – Two left lanes

4:30 a.m., Wed, 7/8 Northbound,
from exit 9 to exit 11
Tue, 7/7 8 p.m. – Ramp closure 4:30 a.m., Wed, 7/8 Southbound,

exit 10 on-ramp

Wed, 7/8 8 p.m. – One left lane

9 p.m. – Two left lanes

11 p.m. – Three left lanes

5 a.m., Thu, 7/9 Southbound,
from exit 10 to exit 11
Wed, 7/8 8 p.m. – Ramp Closure 4:30 a.m., Wed, 7/8 Southbound,

exit 10 on-ramp

Thu, 7/9 8 p.m. – One left lane

9 p.m. – Two left lanes

11 p.m. – Three left lanes

5 a.m., Fri 7/10 Southbound,
from exit 10 to exit 11
Fri, 7/10 9 p.m. – One left lane

10 p.m. – Two left lanes

11 p.m. – Three left lanes

6 a.m., Sat 7/11 Southbound,
from exit 10 to exit 11

All planned work is subject to postponement due to weather conditions.

Steel Girder Assemblies As piers are finalized in the coming weeks and months, steel girder assemblies for the approach span of the new bridge will continue being installed by the I Lift NY super crane.

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack Next week will see continued installation of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. The work will involve drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

River Road in South Nyack River Road utility work will continue over the coming week. The work may require reducing River Road to one lane at times. TZC flag persons will direct traffic as needed and additional signage as well as other safety measures will be in place.

Foundation Work on the New Bridge Marine crews are continuing work on bridge foundations next week by placing reinforcing steel and concrete in the piles, main span pile caps and approach span pile caps. The high-strength concrete is made on site by the project’s floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridge’s road deck.

Crews also will continue working on the bridge’s landings at the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, comprised of steel and concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadway.

Additionally, TZC will continue concrete placement for bridge foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and is delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the Thruway’s southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Additional work includes:

  • Girder installation
  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester Landings utility work

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.

TZ Bridge Traffic Updates For the Week of June 15, 2015

update

For immediate release: June 12, 2015

CONSTRUCTION STARTING ON NOISE BARRIERS ALONG SOUTHBOUND NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) IN SOUTH NYACK

After months of preparation, crews will begin installing foundations for noise barriers along the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. The work will involve drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, 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.

Continued Overnight Triple-Lane Closures of Southbound Thruway
Weekday overnight triple-lane closures of the southbound Thruway will occur from Monday night, June 15 through Saturday morning, June 20. Closures will start at 8 p.m. with the closing of one lane near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) to the Tappan Zee Bridge, followed by a second lane at 9 p.m. and a third at 11 p.m. All lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. the following weekday. The closures on Friday, June 19 will start with a single lane at 9 p.m., a second lane at 11 p.m. and a third at 11:59 p.m. All lanes will reopen by 8 a.m., Saturday, June 20.

Triple-lane closures of the southbound Thruway in the same area also are planned for the overnight of Saturday, June 13, with a single lane closing at 7 p.m., followed by a second lane at 11 p.m. and a third at 1 a.m., Sunday, June 14. All lanes will reopen by 11 a.m., Sunday, June 14.

All planned work is subject to postponement due to weather conditions.

Single-Lane Closures of Northbound Thruway During Morning Commuting Periods on June 18 and 19
Single-lane closures of the northbound Thruway will occur on Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19. The closures will start at 5 a.m. near the Tappan Zee Bridge to exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W). The lane will reopen by 2 p.m. both days.

River Road in South Nyack
River Road utility work will continue during the week of June 15. The work may require reducing River Road to one lane at times. TZC flag persons will direct traffic as needed and additional signage as well as other safety measures will be in place.

Foundation Work on the New Bridge
Marine crews are continuing work on bridge foundations next week by placing reinforcing steel and concrete in the piles, main span pile caps and approach span pile caps. The high-strength concrete is made on site by the project’s floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridge’s road deck.

Crews also will continue working on the bridge’s landings at the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, comprised of steel and concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadway.

Construction of pier 1 located near River Road in South Nyack will continue with the installation of sheet piles. The sheet piles support the surrounding soil while the foundation for the new bridge pier is constructed. Pile driving is restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday. TZC is implementing noise-reducing measures, including sound-absorptive temporary noise barriers, to protect nearby residents. The project’s environmental compliance team will be on site to monitor noise levels during the operation.

Additionally, TZC will continue concrete placement for bridge foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and is delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the Thruway’s southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester Landings utility work

Boater Safety
During the summer months, Westchester and Rockland Marine Units will add extra 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.
Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

June 2015 New NY Bridge Newsletter

June 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives 

The Votes Are In, Tappan Zee Falcon Chicks Are ‘Hudson, Bridge-ette and Zee’:

A Day After Being Named, Falcon Chicks Make Inaugural Flights


Following a week-long campaign in which more than 3,000 ballots were cast, the New NY Bridge project is pleased to announce the winners of its 2015 falcon naming poll: Hudson, Bridge-ette and Zee received the greatest number of votes among 10 candidate names provided by local elementary schools.

READ MORE

When it came to designing the lighting of the New NY Bridge, the project team’s strategy was twofold: accentuate the architectural features of the iconic crossing while at the same time respecting the context in which it is built: the historic Hudson Valley. To achieve this balance-while also maintaining high standards of efficiency and safety-the team engaged Domingo Gonzalez Associates, (DGA) a leading architectural lighting design firm based in New York City.

 

 READ MORE

The New NY Bridge project held its annual public meetings in Westchester and Rockland on May 12 and 14, respectively, to give residents an in-depth briefing about construction progress to date and what lies ahead for the largest bridge and highway project in the nation.

 

READ MORE

The New NY Bridge project crossed another milestone this week with the installation of the first precast pier cap. These large concrete fixtures sit atop completed pier columns and eventually will support the new bridge’s road deck.

 

READ MORE

With the 2015 recreational boating season now underway, the New NY Bridge project team’s partnership with local officials is further enhancing safety on the waters of the Hudson River. As construction intensifies this summer, helping all boaters navigate safely near the work area is a top priority for the project team.

 

 READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How many lanes will the new bridge have?
A:
The new twin-span bridge will have eight general traffic lanes – four in each direction. Space will also be provided for disabled vehicles, emergency responders and express buses and/or bus rapid transit.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow Us on Twitter

@NewNYBridge

Call the Project Hotline

1-855-TZBRIDGE

(1-855-892-7434)

Community Outreach Centers

Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY

Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY

Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website
Email Us
Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

Next to the Tarrytown Senior Center at
240 West Main St.

©2015 New York State Thruway Authority

TZ Bridge Traffic Update

update

EXIT 10 ON-RAMP TO SOUTHBOUND NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) CLOSED TONIGHT, FRIDAY, MAY 29
Triple-Lane Closures, Periodic Traffic Stops of Southbound Thruway in South Nyack During Overnights the Week of June 1

The exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will be closed from 9 p.m., Friday, May 29 to 5 a.m., Saturday, May 30. Drivers will be directed to use the on-ramp from Route 59 in Nyack, as shown in the following graphic. The closure will allow Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) to safely move equipment needed to place concrete slabs for a new temporary all-electronic toll collection system that will be employed until a permanent system is constructed in the location of the current toll plaza in Tarrytown.

Additionally, weekday overnight triple-lane closures of the southbound Thruway will occur from Monday night, June 1 through Saturday morning, June 6. Closures will start at 7 p.m. with the closing of one lane near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) to the Tappan Zee Bridge, followed by a second lane at 9 p.m. and a third at 10:30 p.m. All lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. the following weekday or 8 a.m. the following Saturday.

Additionally, a double-lane closure is planned for the overnight of Saturday, May 30, with a single lane closing at 7 p.m., followed by a second lane at 11 p.m. The lanes will reopen by 10 a.m., Sunday, May 31.

The lane closures are necessary to allow TZC to modify the highway for the temporary all-electronic toll collection system.

During the weekday and weekend overnight closures, at least one lane will remain open at all times, except during periodic traffic stops lasting up to 10 minutes of all four lanes of the southbound Thruway near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W), which will occur between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the overnights of Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5. To ensure the public’s safety, the New York State Police will stop and hold all traffic approaching the area immediately before the traffic stops go into effect. Motorists will be permitted to enter the Thruway from all ramps during the traffic stops. The complete traffic stops are necessary to move equipment from the right shoulder to the left shoulder.

All planned work is subject to postponement due to weather conditions.

River Road in South Nyack
River Road utility work will continue during the week of June 1. The work may require reducing River Road to one lane at times. TZC flag persons will direct traffic as needed and additional signage as well as other safety measures will be in place.

Foundation Work on the New Bridge
Marine crews will continue working on the foundations for the new bridge next week by placing reinforcing steel and concrete in the piles, main span pile caps and approach span pile caps. The high-strength concrete is made on site by the project’s floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridge’s road deck.

While the current phase of pile driving is anticipated to end soon, pile driving will continue next week. Pile driving is restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

Crews also will continue working on the bridge’s landings at the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, comprised of steel and concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadway.

Construction of pier 1 located near River Road in South Nyack will continue with the installation of sheet piles. The sheet piles support the surrounding soil while the foundation for the new bridge pier is constructed. TZC is implementing noise-reducing measures, including sound-absorptive temporary noise barriers, to protect nearby residents. The project’s environmental compliance team will be on site to monitor noise levels during the operation.

Additionally, TZC will continue concrete placement for bridge foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and is delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the Thruway’s southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester Landings utility work

Boater Safety
During the summer months, Westchester and Rockland Marine Units will add extra overnight 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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

TAPPAN ZEE CONSTRUCTORS TAKES EXTENSIVE NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES

For immediate release: May 18, 2015

TAPPAN ZEE CONSTRUCTORS TAKES EXTENSIVE NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES FOR SHEET PILE DRIVING AT PIER 1 IN ROCKLAND COUNTY

For the past week, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has been installing and testing extensive noise mitigation measures in an effort to mitigate noise from vibratory sheet pile driving at Pier 1 off the Rockland shoreline. These efforts have successfully reduced the noise levels by more than 10 decibels. This work is expected to last 1-2 weeks with limited work hours and no sheet pile driving at Pier 1 on Saturdays, Sundays or Memorial Day Monday.

To minimize the effect on the local community, TZC will:

  • Limit the sheet pile driving at Pier 1 to the hours of 8AM-4PM Monday-Friday (none allowed on Saturday, Sunday or Memorial Day Monday)
  • Drive no longer than 30 minutes per hour
  • Use a noise shroud over the vibratory hammer
  • Erect a 40-ft wide x 30-ft tall temporary noise barrier between the work and South Nyack residents
  • Place noise barrier material over the previously driven sheets to reduce noise/vibration levels
  • Proactively reach out to the Village of South Nyack and local homeowners to inform them of the mitigation measures

Noise levels at sensitive receptors and nearby homes are expected to remain within the allowable levels listed in the New NY Bridge project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement as shown in the table below:

To view the New NY Bridge project environmental monitors that are updated every minute of every day go to www.NewNYBridge.com.

table

 

 

 

 

 

Help Name the Falcon Chicks!

For immediate release: May 20, 2015

CAST YOUR VOTES TO NAME THE TAPPAN ZEE FALCON CHICKS!
Voting Open Until 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 27

The New NY Bridge project invites you to vote in a week-long poll to name the recently-hatched Tappan Zee falcons—called eyases (“EYE-a-sez”)—that are nesting with their parents atop the existing bridge. The 10 suggested names are the product of the imaginations of Rockland and Westchester elementary school students.

The chicks, two females and one male, were recently tagged with identifying bands by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The bands, placed on the fledglings’ ankles, will allow the project team and DEC to identify them and track their health and migration habits.

The Name-the-Falcons poll will remain open until 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 27. Names that garner the most votes will be announced shortly thereafter and the schools that suggested the winning names will be recognized.

Watch this spring and summer as the chicks become flying adult falcons via the 24/7 FalconCam on our website NewNYBridge.com.

The Tappan Zee Bridge falcon nest box is maintained by the New York State Thruway Authority. The New NY Bridge will include a new peregrine falcon nest box high atop its towers.

Please note: The falcons are wild birds and their behaviors reflect what happens in nature. Some of their actions may be unpleasant to watch and it is possible that some of the fledglings may not survive into adulthood.

Learn more about the Tappan Zee falcons.

 

Relocation of TZ Bridge Bike/Pedestrian Path

update

PROJECT UPDATE

For immediate release: May 12, 2015

THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES RELOCATION OF NEW NY BRIDGE BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PATH IN SOUTH NYACK

New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Robert L. Megna today announced that the state has decided to relocate the bike/pedestrian path for the New NY Bridge project in Rockland County in order to reduce the impact on local residents and the neighborhood. As a result, the path will no longer end at the corner of Cornelison Avenue and South Broadway in the Village of South Nyack.

“We believe this decision is a good example of how the state can rebuild critical infrastructure in a timely, cost-effective manner while still being sensitive to community concerns,” Megna said. “We will continue to do everything possible to make the New NY Bridge the most open, inclusive and transparent infrastructure project in New York history.”

At Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s direction, Megna, Deputy Director for State Operations Joe Rabito and the entire New NY Bridge project team have been working closely with South Nyack Mayor Bonnie Christian and the village’s Tappan Zee Bridge Task Force to find an alternate solution that will benefit the community and future users of the path.

They will continue to work with the village and task force on other options for the path, including ones that include extending the path into interchange 10 on I-87/287 and away from the residential neighborhood nearby.

“This decision is a victory for the residents of South Nyack who voiced their concerns about the impact of the shared-use path on their quality of life and we couldn’t be happier,” said Mayor Bonnie Christian. “I’d like to personally thank Governor Cuomo and his entire team for listening to our concerns and taking action on our behalf.”

A recent parking demand study estimated that 151 parking spaces – 54 in Rockland and 97 in Westchester – are needed to accommodate visitors to the path when it opens in 2018. In Westchester, the Thruway Authority has ample space for parking and amenities at 333 South Broadway in Tarrytown, the site of the old New York State Police Troop T facility that is being relocated as part of the bridge replacement project. Today’s decision clears the way for the 54 spaces and amenities in Rockland to potentially be created on existing Thruway Authority property at interchange 10 in South Nyack.

The New NY Bridge Community Benefits Program has approved a $250,000 grant for the Village of South Nyack to study the feasibility of redesigning and redeveloping interchange 10 on I-87/287. The village is now considering several proposals from consulting firms on the best design and economically feasible concepts.

“The new Tappan Zee Bridge will attract many new visitors to enjoy the beautiful Lower Hudson Valley,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “I’m pleased Governor Cuomo and Mayor Christian’s solution for the shared use path capitalizes on this enormous economic opportunity for Rockland County while preserving quality of life for the residents of South Nyack. As a major supporter of this project in Washington, I will continue to ensure all parties work in close collaboration to make this bridge a success.”

Rockland County Executive Ed Day stated, “My administration is extremely supportive of this agreement. I am proud of the county’s role in stimulating positive discussions between state and local officials that resulted in a unified solution for a shared use path that will provide an exciting amenity for Rockland residents and visitors alike. I will continue to work collaboratively with Governor Andrew Cuomo and South Nyack Mayor Bonnie Christian to make the New NY Bridge an extraordinary Hudson River gateway to our county.”

Senator David Carlucci said, “The bike/pedestrian path has the potential to become a major attraction and economic engine for Rockland County. Putting the parking at interchange 10 makes sense for the village and the state. I applaud Governor Cuomo and the Village of South Nyack for working together with the residents of our community to make this happen.”

Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee said, “We greatly appreciate the hard work and dedication of Mayor Christian, the South Nyack Tappan Zee Task Force and the Governor’s team. The cooperation and determination of all the parties involved to come together is a testament to the leadership on both the state and local levels.”

Rockland County Legislator Nancy Low-Hogan said, “I want to thank the Governor and his team for listening to the people of this community, and also thank Mayor Christian, the South Nyack Task Force and Village Board. I commend the citizens of South Nyack for their willingness to articulate their concerns and work together to solve this problem in a constructive way.”

Town of Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart added, “Ending the shared use path at Interchange 10 makes sense, especially as it begins the redevelopment of this interchange to better serve South Nyack and its visitors. This is a good thing and the Governor, the Mayor and the local taskforce members are to be congratulated for their collaboration.”

The Thruway Authority and Federal Highway Administration are undertaking an Environmental Assessment to study various parking options for the path. Formal public hearings will be held as part of the process once a draft Environmental Assessment is complete.

For more information on the New NY Bridge project go to www.NewNYBridge.com.

Annual Meeting May 14, 2015

201505554cc8772e022

Members of the New NY Bridge project team will preview upcoming construction activities, discuss the progress thus far, and unveil some new design features at this year’s annual meeting for Rockland County.

Also, there will be a Q&A session with the audience and project leaders from the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors.

The annual meeting will be moderated by Brian Conybeare, the project’s special advisor.

WHEN: 6:30-8PM May 14

WHERE: Nyack High School, 360 Christian Herald Road, Nyack.

The Westchester annual meeting is Tuesday at Washington Irving School in Tarrytown.

PHOTO: One of the largest approach span pile caps on the project is carefully placed onto a group of foundation piles by the I Lift NY super crane.

Photo Credit: New York State Thruway Authority.

http://patch.com/new-york/nyack/new-ny-bridge-project-2015-annual-meeting-thursday?utm_source=alert-breakingnews&utm_medium=email&utm_term=community%20corner&utm_campaign=alert

WORK CONTINUES ON TEMPORARY ALL-ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM

update
Several Weeks of Weekday Overnight Triple-Lane Closures
on New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) Start May 4

Several weeks of weekday overnight triple-lane closures of southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/ I-287) will begin Monday, May 4. The Monday-through-Friday closures will start as early as 7 p.m. with the closure of one lane near exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) to the Tappan Zee Bridge, followed by a second lane closed at 9 p.m. and a third at 10:30 p.m. All lanes will reopen 6 a.m., Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m., Saturday. At least one lane will remain open at all times, except during the periodic traffic holds described below.

The lane closures are necessary to allow Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) to modify the highway for a temporary all-electronic toll collection system that will be employed until a permanent system is constructed in the location of the current toll plaza in Tarrytown.

In addition, periodic closures of all four lanes of the southbound Thruway in the vicinity of exit 11 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) will occur between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. during the overnights of Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7. To ensure the public’s safety, the New York State Police will stop and hold all traffic approaching the area immediately before the closures go into effect. Motorists will be permitted to enter the Thruway from all ramps during the closures. The complete closures are necessary to move equipment from the right shoulder to the left shoulder.

Finally, the exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W) on-ramp to the southbound Thruway will be closed from 10 p.m., Tuesday, May 5 to 5 a.m., Wednesday, May 6. Drivers will be directed to use the on-ramp from Route 59 in Nyack, as shown on the following graphic. The closure will allow TZC to mobilize a crane that will place concrete slabs for the all-electronic toll collection system.

All planned work is subject to postponement due to weather conditions.

River Road in South Nyack
River Road utility work will continue the week of May 4. The work may require reducing River Road to one lane at times. TZC flag persons will direct traffic as needed and additional signage as well as other safety measures will be in place.

Foundation Work on the New Bridge
Marine crews will continue working on the foundations for the new bridge next week by placing reinforcing steel and concrete in the piles, main span pile caps and approach span pile caps. The high-strength concrete is made on site by the project’s two floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridge’s road deck. With only a small percentage of piles left to install, pile driving operations will continue next week. Pile driving is restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

Crews also will continue working on the bridge’s landings at the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, comprised of steel and concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadway.

TZC will continue concrete placement for foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and is delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the Thruway’s southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Concrete placement for foundations
  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • River Road utility work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge

Boater Safety
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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on the very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

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.

NEW NY Bridge 2015 Annual Public Meetings

The new NY bridge

You are invited to attend the New NY Bridge 2015 Annual Public Meetings, hosted by Brian Conybeare, Special Advisor to the Governor for the project. Members of the project team will discuss the remarkable progress being made, preview upcoming construction activities, and unveil some exciting new design features. Attendees will also be able to participate in a Q&A session with project leaders from the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors

Please attend one of the annual meetings listed below for more information:

 

Westchester County

 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

 

Washington Irving Middle School  

103 S. Broadway

Tarrytown, NY 10591

 

Rockland County

 

Thursday, May 14, 2015

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

 

Nyack High School 

360 Christian Herald Rd.

Nyack, NY 10960

The New NY Bridge Newsletter for May 2015

May 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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[VIDEO]

Super Crane’s First Lift


One of the world’s largest floating cranes successfully completed the first of many enormous lifts for the New NY Bridge project on April 24, 2015, following months of planning and preparation.

READ MORE

As Earth Day is observed, New Yorkers literally can breathe easier, knowing that the New NY Bridge project is being built with some of the cleanest construction equipment in the world.

 

 READ MORE

As the New NY Bridge project begins its most intense stage of construction, one upstate business is busy manufacturing nearly 1,000 concrete deck panels for the crossing’s main span roadway.

 

READ MORE

The New NY Bridge project marked another milestone this spring as Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC placed concrete for the crossing’s northern Westchester abutment. The structure will support the new bridge’s landing and was formed by pouring over 650 cubic yards of concrete in one day. You can watch the entire operation take place in just under a minute.

 

 READ MORE

In addition to educational outreach programs that have reached thousands of students, ongoing public presentations and a comprehensive website, the New NY Bridge project maintains two community outreach centers near the project site. Located in downtown Tarrytown and Nyack, and open seven days a week, the centers provide a window into the largest bridge and highway project in the nation.

 

 READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How long will the new bridge last?
A:
The New NY Bridge is designed to last 100 years before any major structural maintenance is required.

 

Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow Us on Twitter

@NewNYBridge

Call the Project Hotline

1-855-TZBRIDGE

(1-855-892-7434)

Community Outreach Centers

Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY

Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY

Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website
Email Us
Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

Next to the Tarrytown Senior Center at
240 West Main St.

©2015 New York State Thruway Authority

SUPER CRANE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES FIRST LIFT ON

update

NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT
I LIFT NY hoists massive 600-ton foundation element into place today

One of the world’s largest floating cranes this morning successfully completed the first of many enormous lifts for the New NY Bridge project, following months of planning and preparation.

In a carefully coordinated three-and-a-half hour operation on the Hudson River between Westchester and Rockland counties, the I Lift NY super crane hoisted and set one of the project’s largest precast concrete pile caps weighing in at 600 tons.

Video and photos from today’s lift will be posted here.

“We brought in the I Lift NY super crane to reduce construction time and cost, and this first lift is another symbol that the New NY Bridge is officially on the way,” Thruway Acting Executive Director Robert L. Megna. “The crane is a key tool to building the bridge in a safer, more cost-effective, environmentally-friendly way. With savings of more than a billion dollars for tollpayers, this super crane will continue to do great work.”

Owned by Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC, the design-build contractor for the New York State Thruway Authority, the super crane’s extraordinary capabilities save time and money while enhancing quality and safety by allowing large sections of the bridge to be pre-fabricated off-site and shipped by barge to the construction zone.

I Lift NY will continue to lift and place sections of the new twin-span bridge — some weighing from 900 to 1,100 tons — and will assist with the dismantling of the existing 60-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge, reducing costs and shortening the deconstruction process.

The super crane’s boom is 328 feet tall, which is taller than a 30-story building, and can lift up to 1,900 tons, or the equivalent of 12 Statues of Liberty, at once. Despite its enormity, the barge-mounted crane sits high in the water, thereby reducing the need for dredging on the project by 50 percent.

The I Lift NY super crane made a 6,000-mile journey from the San Francisco Bay area in 2014, passing through the Panama Canal.

Since its arrival here in New York, the crane has gone through months of testing, modifications and upgrades including a new high-tech computer operating system and complete replacement of its rigging cables. The most experienced operating engineers in the area also spent months of specialized training to carefully handle this massive machine. Now that the ice has cleared on the Hudson River, the I Lift NY crane is getting to work on the pile caps and later this year will begin placing the even heavier structural steel beams that will carry the road deck across the new spans.

New NY Bridge Progress
Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership and with the support of President Barack Obama and the Federal government, the New NY Bridge project has progressed dramatically since construction began in October 2013 following many years of delay. Since October 2011, steps forward include: enactment of new design-build legislation; review and completion of concurrent environmental review and procurement processes; negotiation of a project labor agreement with construction unions; and recommendation from a panel of local leaders and transportation experts for a comprehensive plan for mass transit options for the region – all with an unprecedented level of transparency and community involvement.

About the New NY Bridge
The New NY Bridge’s eight traffic lanes, four breakdown and emergency lanes, and state-of-the-art traffic monitoring systems will mean less congestion for motorists. Designed and constructed to be mass-transit-ready, the new crossing will be able to accommodate bus rapid transit, as well as light rail or commuter rail. The bridge will also include a bike and pedestrian shared-use path. Extensive measures are in place throughout the duration of the project to protect the environment and to monitor the impact of construction on surrounding communities.

I LIFT NY SUPER CRANE SPECIFICATIONS

Type of vessel: Floating Sheerleg Crane
Propulsion: None
Hull material: Steel
Lifting capacity: 1,929 tons
Length: 384 feet
Breadth: 99.8 feet
Depth: 22 feet
Boom length: 328.08 feet
Boom width: 65.7 feet
Min. boom angle for transport: 4 degrees
Min. boom angle for lifting: 19 degrees
Max. boom angle for lifting: 67 degrees
For more information or for photos and video of the I Lift NY super crane’s first lift, go to www.NewNYBridge.com

Tappan Zee viewing area in Nyack could open in June

1406317305000-TZ-Tarrytown-Viewing-Platform-1JPG

LoHud ,Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com4:54 p.m. EDT April 21, 2015

Rockland residents will have to wait a couple of more months to get an up-close look of the new Tappan Zee Bridge getting built.

Construction crews this week will begin mobilizing equipment at Memorial Park in Nyack to build a new fishing pier that will house the viewing area.

The 90-foot-long by 30-foot-wide pier should be ready by mid-June, Nyack Village Administrator Jim Politi said.

The observation area at the end of the pier will feature several information panels about the $3.9 billion replacement project and the equipment being used. High-powered telescopes will provide an intimate look at what promises to be an extremely busy construction season.

While the official viewing site in Tarrytown’s RiverWalk Park opened last October, Nyack has run into problems that have led to delays.

Village officials had hoped the rebuilt pier would be ready to open last December.

“It took us three tries to find someone to put the pilings in,” Politi said of the project’s critical foundational element.

Politi said larger companies were too busy and perhaps the work was viewed as too small but all that bidding and rebidding added weeks, if not months, to the $200,000 rebuild of an old fishing pier, which received $150,000 from the state and $50,000 in Tappan Zee community fund money.

Soon after pile driving began at end of August, the project ran into another snag.

Crews installing the 40-foot-long wood piles hit a concrete barge buried along the shore.

“We had to figure out how to get through that,” Politi said.

Nyack Mayor Jen Laird-White turned to the state Thruway Authority for advice, and Tony Canale, one of the geotechnical engineers hired for the Tappan Zee project, helped come up with a solution. Canale lives in Yonkers and teaches a graduate course on foundation engineering at Manhattan College.

“We were happy to utilize some the world-class engineering expertise on the New NY Bridge project to help the village of Nyack with their new fishing pier,” said Brian Conybeare, adviser to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the project.

With the piles now all in, the custom-made deck, wood railings, tables, benches, lighting and Tappan Zee-related materials remain to be installed.

Politi estimates that work will take the contractor, Ingannamorte and Sons of Tenalfy, N.J., six to eight weeks to complete.

By early summer, he said visitors and Tappan Zee watchers will have a place to “fish or sit and relax” with a “wonderful view” of the rising bridge.

Conybeare said the viewing platform will offer residents “a first-hand look at the historic project unfolding on the Hudson River right in their backyard.”

Twitter: @ksaeed1

If you go

The Westchester viewing platform for Tappan Zee Bridge construction is located at Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, 157 W. Main St., Tarrytown.

 

Thruway Authority Discussions with South Nyack Making Progress on Bike/Pedestrian Path Parking

For immediate release: April 6, 2015
Contact: Brian Conybeare 845-705-3302

Thruway Authority Discussions with South Nyack Making Progress on Bike/Pedestrian Path Parking

New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Robert Megna today announced that renewed discussions with the Village of South Nyack on parking options for the New NY Bridge project’s shared-use bike/pedestrian path (SUP) in Rockland County are progressing.

The Thruway Authority and Federal Highway Administration are undertaking an Environmental Assessment to study the parking options generated by the public and other stakeholders.  Formal public hearings will be held as part of the process, once a draft Environmental Assessment is complete.

“The renewed talks with South Nyack are making substantial progress,” said Acting Thruway Authority Executive Director Robert Megna. “We want to continue working proactively with Mayor Bonnie Christian and the South Nyack Tappan Zee Bridge Task Force to find solutions for the shared-use pathparking areas and connectivity to the community that will work for all the parties involved while protecting New York taxpayers and tollpayers at the same time.”

“We continue working together on the location of the shared-use path and hopefully we will be able to come to an agreement that benefits the residents of South Nyack, the Thruway Authority and the people who will use the path in the future,” said South Nyack Mayor Bonnie Christian.

The New NY Bridge Community Benefits Program has approved a $250,000 grant for the Village of S. Nyack to study the feasibility of redesigning and redeveloping interchange 10 on I-87/287.  The village is now considering several proposals from engineering firms to design and recommend economically sustainable redevelopment concepts.

The Thruway Authority and the village have agreed to continue working on these issues together as the New NY Bridge project moves forward.

For more information on the SUP parking options currently being studied in both S. Nyack and Tarrytown: http://www.newnybridge.com/documents/sup/index.html

The New NY Bridge April 2015 Newsletter

April 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Springing into Action:

Remobilizing on the Hudson River


As the Lower Hudson Valley thaws out from a particularly punishing winter, the hardworking men and women of the New NY Bridge project are remobilizing on the river.

READ MORE

While frigid weather conditions have limited river work in recent weeks, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has been forging ahead with the parts of the bridge that anchor it to the land: the abutments. Located at each end of the crossing, the stout abutments will serve as solid foundations for the bridge and the land-side highway.

 

READ MORE

On Feb. 28, the New NY Bridge (NNYB) project educational outreach team met with Girl Scout troops from Greenburgh and Elmsford to promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

 

 READ MORE

The construction of river crossings present an engineering challenge: how to build in the water?.

 

 READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Who is the Project Director, and what are his responsibilities?
A:
Peter Sanderson was hired by the Thruway Authority to serve as project director for the New NY Bridge. Sanderson leads a team of state employees, and private-sector design and construction experts, with the goal of completing the new bridge on budget and on time. Among his past accomplishments, Mr. Sanderson was the lead for the I-35 bridge replacement project in Minnesota in 2007. Under his guidance, the I-35 project, projected to take 14 months, was completed in just 11 months.

 

Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates

TZ Bridge Project Update and Lane Closures for the Week of March 23, 2015

FLOATING BATCH PLANTS RETURN TO WORK ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT
Triple-Lane Closure on Northbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) During Overnight of Wednesday, Mar. 25

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC’s (TZC) two floating concrete batch plants recently returned to the work site, passed the required testing and soon will begin pumping concrete. The batch plants were taken out of service in December after a silo failed.

The concrete plants move from location to location on the river, providing high-quality concrete where it is needed to build the New NY Bridge project. Their resumption of service will reduce the number of concrete trucks using local roads.

The following lane and exit closures are planned for next week:

Three left lanes of the northbound Thruway (I-87/I-287) will be closed from exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – NY Route 9) to exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – Route 9W), and including the Tappan Zee Bridge, from 9 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 25 to 4:30 a.m., Thursday, Mar. 26. One lane will remain open during the closure. The closures are necessary to accommodate road-striping work.

Additionally, road striping will require the closure of the two left (35 mph) E-ZPass lanes at the southbound Thruway toll plaza in Tarrytown from 10 p.m. Friday, Mar. 27 to 5 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 28. The work also will necessitate the closure of the southbound exit 9 off-ramp to Route 9 from 10 p.m., Friday, Mar. 28 to 5 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 28. Traffic that would otherwise use exit 9 will be detoured to exit 8A, as shown below:

map

Turn-by-turn directions for southbound exit 9 closure detour:

  1. Exit onto the exit 8A off-ramp;
  2. At the end of the long ramp, turn right on westbound Route 119/White Plains Road;
  3. Enter westbound I-287, which merges with northbound I-87;
  4. Exit onto the exit 9 off-ramp;
  5. Turn left onto westbound Route 119/White Plains Road; and
  6. Turn left or right on Route 9, depending on your destination. 

Preparations for the Temporary All Electronic Toll Collection system in South Nyack near exit 10 will require a single right-lane closure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24.

Marine operations continue to gear up following the winter shutdown, with crews installing reinforcing steel (rebar) in the main span pile caps and the precast approach span pile caps.

With only a small percentage of piles left to install, pile driving operations will continue next week. The periodic pile driving is restricted to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

Crews also will continue working on the bridge’s landings at the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, comprised of steel and concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadway.

TZC will continue limited concrete placement for foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the New York State Thruway’s (I-87/I-287) southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Landing abutment concrete work
  • River Road utility work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge

Boater Safety
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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

March 2015 New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

March 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Falcons Swoop In:

See Tappan Zee Peregrines Live Via Webcam


Coming to you live from high above the Hudson River are the fastest members of the animal kingdom! The Tappan Zee Bridge’s peregrine falcons have returned to their man-made nest box to prepare for the nesting season and can be viewed on the project’s “FalconCam.”

READ MORE

Long before the first foundations of the New NY Bridge project were installed, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) engaged experts at HDR Inc., an architectural and engineering firm with offices in Pearl River, NY, to build the new crossing in a virtual world.

 

READ MORE

Members of the New NY Bridge outreach team recently met with students at Anne M. Dorner Middle School in Ossining on the eve of the students’ entry in the 2015 Engineering Encounters Bridge Design Contest, a national competition that provides students with a realistic and engaging introduction to engineering.

 

 READ MORE

Located at the intersection of the active Hudson River and the busy New York State Thruway, the New NY Bridge project is passed by more than 138,000 vehicles every day. Building America’s largest bridge project in this bustling area compelled the project team to make security one of its top priorities. To keep the public and project safe, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) engaged one of the nation’s leading private security organizations, AlliedBarton Security Services and its White Plains office.

 

 READ MORE

As support columns for the New NY Bridge rise across the Hudson River, workers at an upstate facility are hard at work preparing critical elements for the project’s next stage of construction. A few miles south of Albany, a major Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) staging yard at the Port of Coeymans (pronounced KWEE-mans) will be the assembly site for hundreds of enormous steel girders that will connect the columns and support the new crossing’s road deck.

 

 READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What does “design-build” mean?
A:
Design-build is an alternative to the traditional construction method of “design-bid-build.” In a design-bid-build arrangement, the state would issue one contract to design the bridge and all of its components. Then, bids for the construction would be solicited. Under a design-build contract, the contractor that builds the structure is also responsible for the development and integrity of the design. If construction cost overruns arise relating to the design, they are the responsibility of the contactor, not taxpayers or toll payers. Design changes under the old design-bid-build system often led to past project delays and cost overruns that had to be borne by taxpayers and toll payers. Design-build shifts most of the risk to the contractor.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow Us on Twitter

@NewNYBridge

Call the Project Hotline

1-855-TZBRIDGE

(1-855-892-7434)

Community Outreach Centers

Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY

Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY

Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website
Email Us
Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

Next to the Tarrytown Senior Center at
240 West Main St.

©2015 New York State Thruway Authority

Falcons Swoop In See Tappan Zee Peregrines Live Via Webcam

Falcons021815

 

Coming to you live from high above the Hudson River are the fastest members of the animal kingdom! The Tappan Zee Bridge’s peregrine falcons have returned to their man-made nest box to prepare for the nesting season and can be viewed on the project’s “FalconCam.”

Installed in the steel super structure of the existing bridge, the nest box is equipped with a live, 24/7 FalconCam, accessible here.

The remote FalconCam, located outside the nest box, provides close-up views of the lives of these amazing migratory raptors, which recently came back to reproduce. Peregrine eggs typically are laid in February and March and chicks hatch approximately one month later. Viewers may be able to watch as the chicks peck their way out of their eggs and are then fed and cared for by their parents.

As construction on the New NY Bridge project continues, a 100-foot buffer area is in place to help protect the falcons during their nesting period.

Maintained and monitored by the New York State Thruway Authority, the nest box evetappan zeentually will be relocated to a new perch in the towers of the new bridge.

Learn more about the Tappan Zee falcons.

WINTER WEATHER WILL CONTINUE TO LIMIT WORK DURING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 16

Project Update:

update

WINTER WEATHER WILL CONTINUE TO LIMIT WORK DURING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 16
No construction work is scheduled for President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 16 on the New NY Bridge project.
Freezing temperatures and winter weather in the Hudson Valley will continue to limit operations at the project site during the week of Feb. 16. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has included a two-month winter shutdown in its schedule to account for winter weather conditions.
TZC’s inclement weather preparation protocols include having tug boats on the water at all times, inspecting and adjusting all mooring lines, inspecting crane barges and securing all equipment, moving the large majority of cranes to shallow water moorings and taking all smaller crew boats out of the water. Additionally throughout every storm, TZC uses video and GPS to monitor the entire fleet of project vessels from its security operations center.
As weather permits, landside crews are working to assemble formwork that will shape the bridge’s landings on the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, which will be made of steel and concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadways.
Pile Driving and Other Construction Activity
Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundations of the new bridge. The work includes pile driving from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.
TZC also will continue limited concrete placement for foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.
Westchester landing foundation operations continue as crews work to construct the land based piers and abutment for the new bridge.
Additional work includes:
• Pile cap foundation construction
• Main span foundation construction
• River Road utility work
• Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
• Survey inspections on the existing bridge
Boater Safety
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.
More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.
Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.
All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions

Project Update: Winter Weather Limits Operations

WINTER WEATHER CONTINUES TO LIMIT OPERATIONS AT NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT SITE DURING THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9

Freezing temperatures and winter weather in the Hudson Valley continue to limit operations at the New NY Bridge project site. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has included a two-month winter shutdown in its schedule to account for winter weather conditions.

During the week of February 9, TZC will continue limited operations.

TZC’s inclement weather preparation protocols include having tug boats on the water at all times, inspecting and adjusting all mooring lines, inspecting crane barges and securing all equipment, moving the large majority of cranes to shallow water moorings and taking all smaller crew boats out of the water. Additionally throughout every storm, TZC uses video and GPS to monitor the entire fleet of project vessels from its security operations center.

As weather permits, landside crews are working to assemble formwork that will shape the bridge’s landings on the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, which will be made of steel, concrete, will serve as strong bases where the new crossing meets the landside roadways.

Pile Driving and Other Construction Activity

As much as allowed by weather conditions, construction will continue in the Hudson River, where crews are placing the foundations of the new bridge. The work includes pile driving from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

TZC also will continue limited concrete placement for foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. The concrete for this work is being acquired from local concrete suppliers and delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) southbound access ramp. Trucks exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp.  The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Westchester landing foundation operations continue as crews work to construct the land based piers and abutment for the new bridge.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge

Boater Safety

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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

Building a Landmark

NYS Thruway Lane Closures for Jan 28-29,2015

For immediate release: January 23, 2015 

TWO LANES OF SOUTHBOUND NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) CLOSED OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY JAN. 28 AND THURSDAY JAN. 29

Two lanes of the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will be closed between The Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Plaza in Tarrytown and exit 8A (Elmsford – NY Route 119 – Saw Mill River Parkway North) during the overnights of Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28. The two overnight closures will occur between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. and are necessary to accommodate work on an electronic message sign facility.

Bridge Abutment Work Continues

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue assembling formwork that will shape the bridge’s landing on the Rockland and Westchester shorelines. The abutments, which will be made of steel, concrete and earth, will serve as strong bases for where the new crossing meets the landside roadway.

Pile Driving and Other Construction Activity
Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundations of the new bridge. Work will include pile driving from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

TZC will continue limited concrete placement for foundations near the South Nyack shoreline. In the absence of the project’s floating batch plants, which were temporarily taken out of service last month after a silo failed, the concrete for this work will be acquired from local concrete suppliers and will be delivered by truck to the Rockland trestle located off of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) southbound access ramp. Trucks will exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. The access ramps are used only by construction vehicles, providing a safe route directly to the work site and reducing traffic impacts on local roads.

Westchester landing foundation operations continue as crews work to construct the land based piers and abutment for the new bridge.

  • Additional work includes:
  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge

Boater Safety
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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

NEW NY BRIDGE BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PATH

More Community Input Wanted on Parking Facility Concepts  for Rockland and Westchester

bike path

Residents and other interested stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the new bridge’s shared-use bike/pedestrian path parking concepts.

Once complete, the New NY Bridge to replace the Tappan Zee will offer Hudson Valley residents a safer and easier commute, as well as a brand new 3.1-mile-long shared-use path for pedestrians and bicycles with stunning Hudson Valley views. The path will be perfect for a leisurely stroll, a challenging run or an exhilarating ride.

 

The project team has been working closely with residents, elected officials and experts for more than a year to develop the best design for visitor parking and other amenities. We completed a comprehensive study to determine the amount of parking needed, and an environmental assessment of the options is underway. Public meetings will be held to present the findings of the environmental assessment and take more comments from the public before any plans are finalized.

 

Now, we want your input on the parking options.

 

Please click here to view parking concepts. Comments will be accepted through Friday, February 13, 2015, and can be made via mail, email or fac (see instructions below). 

 

At the Westchester landing, the parking facility is planned on Thruway Authority property off South Broadway in Tarrytown. This site offers ample space for both parking and amenities.

 

For the Rockland landing, a variety of community-generated concepts are being studied to provide sufficient parking and amenities – including one on Thruway property at exit 10. At the Village of South Nyack’s request, the bike/pedestrian path’s entrance was moved from Smith Avenue to Cornelison Avenue at South Broadway. A $250,000 grant was awarded to the village through the New NY Bridge project’s Community Benefits Program to study the feasibility of redeveloping exit 10.

 

The parking facility concepts can be viewed at NewNYBridge.com/SUP and public comments can be submitted as follows:

 

Mail: Brian Conybeare
Special Advisor to the Governor for the New NY Bridge Project
303 South Broadway, Suite 413
Tarrytown, New York 10591

 

Email: Info@NewNYBridge.com  

 

Fax: 914.524.5455

 

Thank you in advance for your comments!

 

Construction Milestone on the TZ Bridge

Another major construction milestone  on the Tappan Zee Bridge project.

“To get to this point is very big,” Tappan Zee Constructors construction services manager Ro DiNardo told The Journal News.

Over the coming weeks and months, there will be a whirlwind of activity on the $3.9 billion project in Rockland alone.

Watch them build this hulking structure known as an abutment, which is where the new crossing meets land.

http://lohud.us/1BJb9Iy

Lohud  Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com, January 9,2015

New Year of Construction Looking Ahead to 2015

New Year of Construction
Looking Ahead to 2015

December 31, 2014 |

With a fleet of approximately 130 floating cranes, barges, tugboats and other vessels working on the New NY Bridge, construction continues to move forward. The coming year will see the completion of the new crossing’s foundations and an increasing number of bridge piers across the Hudson River.

Early in 2015, the I Lift NY super crane will make the first of what will be hundreds of heavy lifts by installing a 600-ton approach span pile cap, a task that no other crane on the job can handle. Next year will also bring the completion of phase one of pile driving (phase two is scheduled for 2017, after the landings of existing bridge are removed); the installation of numerous precast approach-span pile capsby the project’s floating cranes; and the completion of the main-span pile caps, which will support the soaring 419-foot main span towers. The bridge also will begin to take its finished form, as segments of the road deck are mounted on the steel girders that connect the approach span piers. With the placement of thousands of tons of concrete and steel in the coming year, the project is steadily progressing towards completion in 2018.

Individuals keen on observing progress of the New NY Bridge project firsthand are invited to visit the recently opened Westchester viewing platform in Tarrytown’s Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park. The platform is equipped with telescopes and a spotter’s guide, which describes the wide array of equipment on the river. The Rockland viewing platform, which will be situated in Nyack’s Memorial Park, is under development and is slated to open in early 2015. The project’s day-by-day progress also can be tracked from the comfort of home, thanks to construction cameras situated at various vantage points on and around the project site and accessible from the project website.

Here’s to another year of progress on this historic project in 2015!

http://www.newnybridgegallery.com/updates/new-year-of-constructionlooking-ahead-to-2015/

 

 

 

 

Traffic Update thru Jan 4th to Ease Holiday Travels

For immediate release: December 26, 2014

ALL LANES OF NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM FRIDAY DEC. 26, 2014 THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN. 4, 2015 TO EASE HOLIDAY TRAVEL

All lanes of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will remain open from Friday, Dec. 26, 2014 through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 to help New Yorkers reach their winter holiday destinations. The 10-day lane-closure-free period follows Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s “Drivers First” initiative, which gives priority to motorists by ensuring that disruptions associated with highway and bridge projects are kept as minimal as possible.

While Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue working in several areas of the project during the week of Dec. 29, none of the planned activities will result in the closure of any traffic lanes. No construction work is scheduled for New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, though safety and security teams will remain on site.

Limited concrete placement will continue as TZC progresses the investigation of the recent incident on one of its floating concrete batch plants. The concrete for foundations near the S. Nyack shoreline will be acquired from local concrete suppliers that will be delivered to the site via trucks to the Rockland Trestle off of the New York State Thruway southbound access ramp. The trucks will exit the trestle to the Thruway via the northbound access ramp. This work could begin as soon as this week.

Activities on the Westchester and Rockland landings will continue as originally scheduled as this work has always been planned to receive the needed concrete from trucks to the site.

Continued Demolition of Westchester Landing of Existing Tappan Zee Bridge
Following the removal of sections of deck of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge to make way for the new bridge, the associated supporting piers are being demolished. The majority of this work, which will clear the path for the northbound bridge’s landing and first foundation pier, will be completed during daytime hours.

Pile Driving and Other Construction Activity
Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundations of the new bridge. Work will include pile driving from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday. No pile driving will occur on New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015. Operations will resume on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 at 7 a.m.

A second shift of workers also will continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with foundations.

Work is continuing on the new bridge’s landings on both sides of the river.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge

Boater Safety
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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions

Holiday Travel this week on the TZ Bridge

The new NY bridge

For immediate release: December 19, 2014

ALL LANES OF NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24 THROUGH SUNDAY, DEC. 28 TO EASE HOLIDAY TRAVEL

All lanes of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will remain open from Wednesday, Dec. 24 through Sunday, Dec. 28 to help New Yorkers reach their winter holiday destinations. The five-day, lane-closure-free period follows Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s “Drivers First” initiative, which gives priority to motorists by ensuring that disruptions associated with highway and bridge projects are kept as minimal as possible.

While Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue working in several areas of the project during the week of Dec. 22, none of the planned activities will result in the closure of any traffic lanes. No construction work is scheduled for Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, though safety and security teams will remain on site.

20-Minute closures of the north- and southbound Thruway and other lane closures scheduled for overnight Friday, Dec. 19
The removal of an overhead sign gantry near exit 10 in South Nyack will require the closure of three lanes of the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) during the overnight of Friday, Dec. 19. Two lanes will be closed at 9 p.m., followed by a third lane at 12 midnight. One lane will remain open, other than during the periodic complete closures detailed below. The three closed lanes will reopen at 7 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20.

The operation also will require a series of 20-minute closures of all four lanes on both the north- and southbound Thruway between the hours of 11:59 p.m., Friday, December 19 and 6 a.m., Saturday, December 20. To ensure the safety of the public, the New York State Police will stop and hold all traffic approaching the gantry removal operation immediately before the closures go into effect. Motorists will be permitted to enter the Thruway from all ramps during the closures.

Travelers are advised that delays are likely on both directions of the Thruway during the overnight operation.

Continued Demolition of Westchester Landing of Existing Tappan Zee Bridge
Following the removal of sections of deck of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge to make way for the new bridge, the associated supporting piers are being demolished. The majority of this work, which will clear the path for the northbound bridge’s landing and first foundation pier, will be completed during daytime hours.

Pile Driving and Other Construction Activity
Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundations of the new bridge. Work will include pile driving from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday. No pile driving will occur on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25 or Friday Dec. 26.

A second shift of workers also will continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with foundations.

Work is continuing on the new bridge’s landings on both sides of the river.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge

Boater Safety
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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

Tappan Zee Bridge December 2014 Newsletter

December 2014
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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The Big Reveal:  

First Piers Completed


Like an artist unveiling a new creation, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) removed enclosing formwork to reveal the first of the New NY Bridge project’s vertical piers on Nov. 13. The column is the first of 86 piers that will stand in procession across the river to support the new bridge’s road deck.

READ MORE

Ever since he piloted his first crane at the precocious age of 12, New Rochelle native Ronald Burgess has been on track to one day take control of a machine as massive as the I Lift NY super crane. Groomed by his father, also a crane operator, Burgess has been an engineer for 30 years and is currently a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137. His career has included work on high-visibility construction projects including the Yonkers Raceway and even the redecking of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge.

 

READ MORE

As the New NY Bridge begins to rise from the surface of the Hudson River, the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) are working together to ensure their growing construction team meets the very highest standards for workplace safety.

 

 READ MORE

To help travelers reach their Thanksgiving destinations, the New York State Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC paused certain New NY Bridge construction activities during the latter half of last week to keep all lanes open. While the holiday weekend and late November snow storm have passed, our winter weather driving tips will remain helpful to you in the coming months.

 

READ MORE

 

 

Read Complete Newsletter here: http://www.newnybridgegallery.com/updates/december-2014-new-ny-bridge-monthly-newsletter/

Tappan Zee Bridge Fall Quarterly Magazine

In this issue:

  • I Lift NY Super Crane: New York’s Monumental Lifter
  • Educational Outreach: Building Bridges to the Next Generation
  • Project Update: Foundations for the Future
  • The New NY Works: An Empire State Economic Engine

 

fall-quarterly-magazine Page 002

 

Read Complete Newsletter here:

http://www.newnybridge.com/documents/publications/2014/fall-quarterly-magazine.pdf

Traffic Updates for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

THREE LANES OF NORTHBOUND NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) TO BE CLOSED OVERNIGHT MONDAY
All Lanes Remain Open from Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Dec. 1
for Thanksgiving Travel

During the overnight of Monday, Nov. 24, three lanes of the northbound New York State Thruway (I-87/ I-287) will be closed to accommodate restriping (i.e., applying lane markers) and a minor shifting of lanes. The triple-lane closure will be in effect from 11 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24 to 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25 and will extend nearly five miles between exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) and exit 10 (Nyack – South Nyack – US Route 9W). One northbound travel lane will remain open throughout this period. The operation also will require the closure of the exit 10 off ramp from 10 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24 to 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25. Exiting motorists will be directed to use exit 11 and follow signs to Route 9W and Route 59. In the event of rain or snow on Monday the above closures will move to Tuesday, Nov. 25.

No Thruway lane closures will occur from Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 1 in observance of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel season as part of Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First Initiative, which focuses on the convenience of motorists to ensure that disruptions are as minimal as possible for drivers at highway and bridge construction projects across the state.

Work Continues on Stormwater Management Pond South of Thruway in Tarrytown
Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has begun clearing a work zone immediately south of the Thruway in Tarrytown to prepare for the construction of a stormwater management pond. The pond will help control the flow of stormwater by collecting and retaining runoff. Excavation will follow the clearing and a retaining wall will be installed next spring. TZC will employ noise, dust and other mitigation techniques to minimize impacts to local residents.

Continued Demolition of Westchester Landing of Existing Tappan Zee Bridge
A small section of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge’s Westchester landing will be removed during overnight hours next Monday and Tuesday to make room for the new bridge. The work will require the closure of the northbound Thruway’s two right traffic lanes approaching the bridge to construct the abutment and the first foundation pier for the new northbound bridge, which is due to be completed late 2016. The two lanes will be closed between 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24 and 4:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25 and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Pile Driving and Other Construction Activity
Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundations of the new bridge. Work will include pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

A second shift of workers also will continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with foundations.

Related to the Westchester landing work referenced above, work is continuing on the new bridge’s landings on both sides of the river.  In Westchester, work includes drilling holes into the bedrock for the foundation of the landing. In Rockland, a similar operation is improving the strength of the soil by using aggregate piers, which are constructed with a drill that mixes soil and aggregate (i.e., crushed stone) to form a strong base for the new bridge’s abutment and foundation. The drilling process is less audible than impact pile driving and noise-reducing measures are being implemented to further minimize sound levels. The eight-week operation is anticipated to conclude in late November.

Additional work includes:

  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge

Boater Safety
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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real-time information regarding traffic conditions.

New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter_ November 2014

November 2014
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Enter the Super Crane:

I Lift NY Arrives at the New NY Bridge Project 


 Following a 6,000 mile journey that included transit through the Panama Canal, the New NY Bridge project’s I Lift NY super crane arrived at the Hudson River construction site on October 6.

READ MORE

October 16, 2014 marked the first anniversary of permanent construction operations on the New NY Bridge project, and the past year has seen exceptional progress on the foundations of the new crossing. Looking ahead, the project is poised to make even greater and more visible strides in the coming year.

 

 READ MORE 

I Lift NY Completes Journey
I Lift NY Completes Journey
 

The I Lift NY super crane arrived at the New NY Bridge site on October 6. Here is a video of the powerful lifter completing the last leg of its 6,000-mile journey.

 

 READ MORE 

Led by the recently-arrived I Lift NY super crane, an armada of more than 30 floating cranes – each capable of raising immense structural elements with great precision – is hard at work lifting and placing many millions of pounds of components and materials to help build the New NY Bridge. These workhorse machines are critical to keeping the project on schedule for completion in 2018.

 

 READ MORE

Now in its second year, the New NY Bridge Educational Outreach Program continues to engage students of all ages in Westchester, Rockland and beyond. The program reflects Governor Andrew Cuomo’s goal of using the state’s largest infrastructure project to educate tomorrow’s professionals. This year, the team is focusing on the ‘how-it-works’ engineering behind the new bridge’s foundations.

 

 READ MORE 

Those keen on observing firsthand the progress of the New NY Bridge project are invited to the recently-opened Westchester viewing platform in Tarrytown’s Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park. Located near the Tarrytown Senior Center at 240 West Main Street, the easy-to-access platform provides an unobstructed view of the project site.

 

READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What will happen to the current bridge?
A: The current Tappan Zee Bridge will be carefully dismantled and the structural steel will be recycled. The concrete deck panels, which have been replaced in recent years, will be reused where possible on other Thruway and state Department of Transportation projects.

 

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=d87df910-023c-4eb5-b9f6-bcac7d294151&c=4897cfb0-a650-11e3-bc68-d4ae5292c426&ch=49f6ea80-a650-11e3-bcd8-d4ae5292c426

Tappan Zee Bridge Skeleton Takes Shape at Tomkins Cove

Khurram Saeed and Theresa Juva-Brown, tjuva@lohud.com9:11 a.m. EDT October 22, 2014

Less than 15 miles from where the new Tappan Zee Bridge is being built, its steely skeleton is being put together. Dozens of workers are assembling fortified steel cages along the Hudson River.

Less than 15 miles from the Tappan Zee Bridge, the steel skeleton of its replacement is being meticulously pieced together.

“The site is perfect,” Ro DiNardo, construction services manager for bridge builder Tappan Zee Constructors, said. “It’s 18 acres, and it has all the space we needed for these activities.”

For the first time, Tappan Zee Constructors on Tuesday offered a behind-the-scenes look at the bustling staging area at Tomkins Cove, a former power plant next to the Hudson River. DiNardo said its proximity to the bridge is saving time on the $3.9 billion replacement project, which is expected to be completed in 2018.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening on site:

Pile reinforcement

The estimated 1,000 hollow piles that are being set in the Hudson River are being fortified with cages made of reinforced steel, also known as rebar.

Bridge columns

Workers are also assembling cages that will ultimately become bridge columns. The steel structures are produced in a factory in New Jersey and dipped in hot zinc to strengthen them. The coiled-up steel is loaded on trucks and delivered to Tomkins Cove.

Using detailed diagrams, crews of five workers spend several days creating the sections, some of which are 20 feet long.

Then, DiNardo said, comes the tricky and most dangerous part: pouring the concrete into the mold that is built around sections of steel.

“We actually have to put men inside there so we can pour from the bottom and work our way up,” said DiNardo, of New City. “There are a lot of safety concerns. We have to have an entire plan together before we put anyone in there.”

Tower work

The structures that will be used to build the bridge’s eight towers are under construction at the site, too.

Each rectangular platform, known as climbing forms, has an opening in the middle where the concrete gets poured to create the towers in sections.

A hydraulic lift will raise the structure, with the platform eventually standing more than 30 stories above water.

“As we build, this will move with us,” DiNardo said of the platform.

The climbing forms are expected to arrive at the project site by barge in February.

Improved safety

Because the staging area sits next to an active railroad, the project team and railroad officials have had to make adjustments.

In the past few months, CSX freight trains were left unattended for up to two hours during crew shift changes, blocking emergency access to the site. In one instance over the summer, a worker who had an allergic reaction to something he ate, had to be brought by boat to a medical facility in Westchester.

Tappan Zee Constructors has just finished building a foot bridge over the tracks to allow emergency responders to reach the site by land.

The bridge builder expects to use Tomkins Cove through 2017. Eventually, the site will likely be used to demobilize cranes and other equipment when the work is done.

 

Fast facts

Tomkins Cove staging area: 18 acres

Workers: Approximately 60 not including subcontractors

Truck traffic: 5 to 20 per day

Barge traffic: 1 to 5 per day

Distance to Tappan Zee Bridge site: 14 nautical miles

Ask us about the Tappan Zee

When: Nov. 1 at 11 a.m.

Where: Pierson Park, Tarrytown

What: Journal News/lohud transportation reporters Theresa Juva-Brown and Khurram Saeed will answer questions and listen to comments about our Tappan Zee Bridge coverage. Join them for the informal chat over coffee and snacks.

Bridge Updates and Closings

update

NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-87/I-287) southbound EXIT 9 TO BE CLOSED OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FOR PAVING OPERATIONS

Exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9) of the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the overnights of Wednesday, Oct. 22 and Thursday, Oct. 23 to enable a widening of the southbound New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) in Westchester County.

The widening of the southbound Thruway will require paving the shoulder in the vicinity of Exit 9 and is being done to facilitate a series of lane shifts occurring in the near future. Drivers bound for destinations in the Tarrytown vicinity are advised to use Exit 8A (I-87 – Elmsford – NY Route 119), continue north on northbound Route 119/White Plains Road, turn right onto to I–287 west towards I-87/Tappan Zee Bridge and continue to Exit 9 (Tarrytown – Sleepy Hollow – US Route 9). Drivers bound for destinations on or near White Plains Rd/Route 119 are advised to use Exit 8A to stay on Route 119. See graphic below.

One lane of the northbound Thruway in the vicinity of Exit 9 will be closed at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24. At 9 p.m., a second lane will be closed and at 10 p.m., a third lane will be closed. All lanes will reopen at 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24. These closures also are related to the above-mentioned paving operation.

Motorists are reminded that the northbound Thruway lanes recently were narrowed slightly at the Westchester approach to the Tappan Zee Bridge and the speed limit was reduced to 45 mph.

Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundation for the new bridge. Work will include pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 7 p.m., Saturday.

A second shift of workers also will continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with permanent foundations.

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC, (TZC) is continuing construction of the new bridge’s landings.  In Westchester, work includes drilling holes into the bedrock for the foundation of the landing. In Rockland, a similar operation is improving the strength of the soil by using aggregate piers, which are made by using a drill to mix soil and aggregate (i.e., crushed stone) to form a strong base for the new bridge’s abutment and foundation. The drilling process is less audible than impact pile driving and TZC has implemented noise-reducing measures to further minimize sound levels. The eight-week operation is anticipated to conclude in November.

Work will continue on the Rockland work trestle near the shoreline, including pile driving and cofferdam installation. The trestle will support equipment used for the construction of the westernmost section of the new bridge.

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.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Oct. 20 Southbound right lane near exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday Oct. 20 Southbound right lane across the Tappan Zee Bridge 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday Oct. 20 Southbound right lane near exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday Oct. 21 Southbound right lane near exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 22 Southbound right lane near exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 22 Southbound right lane near exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 22 Southbound right lane near exit 9 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 22 Southbound two right lanes near exit 9 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday Oct. 22 I-87 Exit 9 exit ramp in Tarrytown closed 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 Southbound two right lanes near exit 9 Midnight to 6 a.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 I-87 Exit 9 exit ramp in Tarrytown closed Midnight to 5 a.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 Northbound right lane near exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 Southbound right lane near exit 9 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 Southbound two right lanes near exit 9 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 I-87 Exit 9 exit ramp in Tarrytown closed 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 23 Southbound 35 mph EZ-Pass lanes in Tarrytown closed 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Southbound two right lanes near exit 9 Midnight to 6 a.m.
Friday Oct. 24 I-87 Exit 9 exit ramp in Tarrytown closed Midnight to 5 a.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Southbound 35 mph EZ-Pass lanes in Tarrytown closed Midnight to 4 a.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Northbound right lane near exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Southbound left lane near exit 9 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Northbound two left lanes near exit 9 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Northbound three left lanes near exit 9 11 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday Oct. 24 Southbound 35 mph EZ-Pass lanes in Tarrytown closed 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 25 Northbound three left lanes near exit 9 Midnight to 8 a.m.
Saturday Oct. 25 Southbound 35 mph EZ-Pass lanes in Tarrytown closed Midnight to 4 a.m.

All lane closures are subject to change due to traffic, weather or emergency situations. Please visit http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=incidents for real time information regarding traffic conditions.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
  • Pile Cap foundation construction
  • Main Span foundation construction
  • Rockland Landing construction
  • Westchester landing construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle

New Tappan Zee expected to become top tourism destination

The new bridge’s 3-mile walking and biking path could prove to be a major tourist draw.

Will tourists flock to see the new Tappan Zee Bridge?

The answer is years away but it’s conceivable the world’s widest crossing could one day rank alongside New York’s many treasured landmarks, which include Grand Central Terminal, the Brooklyn Bridge and most recently, the Walkway Over the Hudson.

People walking or biking over the Hudson River between Westchester and Rockland will enjoy six scenic overlooks along the 3-mile path. The northerly view would offer stunning vistas of the water, Hook Mountain and the Sleepy Hollow lighthouse.

“That really is a big draw,” said Larry Oakner, senior partner of strategy and engagement with CoreBrand, a marketing consultant firm in Manhattan.

“It may fall into those hidden gem kind of ideas of what New York state has to offer,” he added.

Although the first of the Tappan Zee’s two spans will open in late 2016, the path won’t be ready until 2018 when it will become part of the northern span that carries traffic into Rockland.

A tourism director’s dream scenario would envision thousands of people arriving on weekends to descend upon the path, while pumping money into shops and restaurants in Tarrytown and the Nyacks. Bicycle clubs from New York City and the region would add it to their routes; out-of-state visitors would opt to stay overnight to take in local attractions, including the first major new bridge to be built in the metropolitan area in half a century.

“Just to simply build the bridge won’t deliver the greatest return for you from a tourism perspective,” said Bill Baker, chief strategist of Total Destination Marketing, an Oregon-based firm that helps communities with branding. “They want reasonable experiences, not to just take a photo of it.”

Baker said the landmark offered a unique opportunity for local businesses.

“The parties need to start talking and planning for it,” he said. “There may be some need to commit some funds and perhaps re-purpose some plans.”

Michael Yanko, whose company is constructing a 132-room hotel in Nyack, is banking on the new bridge and walkway drawing visitors from all over. Located off Exit 11 on the Thruway, Nylo Nyack is expected to open in June 2015, targeting both corporate clients and tourists.

“We will have packages for couples to come from the city and to stay in Nyack for the weekend,” said Yanko, a developer and co-owner of WY Management. “Certainly the bike and pedestrian lane and a beautiful bridge is helping.”

In Tarrytown, plans call for putting up a visitors center with parking for about 100 cars near the bridge on South Broadway. The path will connect to South Nyack but exactly where is far from settled. The village is almost entirely residential, further complicating the parking issue.

Rockland County Legislator Nancy Low-Hogan lives in South Nyack and represents several river villages near the bridge.

“In my mind, the (path) is going to be a tourist attraction. Period. End of story. That means opportunity. It also means challenges and that requires planning,” said Low-Hogan, who has taken up the tourism torch with fellow Legislators Alden Wolfe and Harriet Cornell.

They plan to host a meeting next month with officials from South Nyack, Nyack, Grand View, Piermont and Orangetown to talk about next steps. They later hope to expand the sessions to include other local and regional representatives, business leaders and tourism experts.

“Eventually all of these people have to be in this conversation,” Low-Hogan said.

The state Thruway Authority, which owns the Tappan Zee and its replacement, has not released estimates on how many visitors the path could attract.

Some are looking to learn from the experiences of other elevated pedestrian paths, including the High Line in Manhattan and Walkway Over the Hudson, a mile-long converted railroad bridge connecting Poughkeepsie and Highland that has attracted nearly 3 million visitors since opening in 2009.

David Rocco, a Yorktown Heights resident who served on the Walkway’s board of directors from 2005 to 2010, predicted the Tappan Zee path would become a major tourist destination. He visited San Francisco last summer and took a stroll on the 2-mile walkway on the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. He thought of home as he saw people jogging and cycling while taking in spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and Candlestick Point.

“I think it’s going to be magnificent,” Rocco said of the new Tappan Zee. “It’s going to be such a draw for both sides of the river.”

However, he said there was the matter of the traffic noise — “It was loud” — but it didn’t take away from his overall enjoyment.

Tappan Zee officials may want to keep an eye on the Bay Bridge to see if its path ends up giving the Golden Gate Bridge a little friendly competition.

More than 5,500 people showed up to use the Bay Bridge Trail on the first Sunday it opened on Sept. 8, 2013.

John Goodwin, a spokesman for the Bay Area Toll Authority, said while there aren’t updated hard figures, he estimated thousands use the path on a good weather weekend, even though it won’t be completed until June. And driving there requires walking a mile from a parking lot just to reach its entrance.

“We weren’t sure how big of an attraction it would be,” Goodwin said. “It proved to be a major attraction indeed.”

Twitter: @ksaeed1

Ask us about the Tappan Zee

Journal News/lohud transportation reporters Theresa Juva-Brown and Khurram Saeed will answer questions and listen to concerns about the Tappan Zee Bridge project from 11 a.m. to noon on Nov. 1 at Pierson Park in Tarrytown. Join them for the informal one-on-one talk over coffee and snacks.

Tappan Zee fast facts

Bridge type: Cable-stayed

Project cost: $3.9 billion

Construction schedule: 5 years, 2.5 months

Project completed to date: 25 percent

Numbers of spans: 2

Traffic lanes: 4 on each span

Breakdown lanes: 1 on each span

Express bus lane/emergency access lanes: 1 on each span

First span opens: December 2016

Second span opens: November 2017

Project physical completion: April 2018

 

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/10/17/new-tappan-zee-expected-become-top-tourism-destination/17432371/

Massive crane arrives at site of new Tappan Zee Bridge

TZ Under construction

By Judy Rife; Times Herald-Record

Posted Oct. 6, 2014 @ 7:33 pm

NYACK – One of the world’s largest floating cranes, in the wings in Jersey City since January, finally took center stage at the construction site of the new Tappan Zee Bridge on Monday. The crane, known as the I Lift NY, got the kind of gushing welcome that celebrities are accustomed to – including a declaration of love from Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“I truly love this crane,’’ said Cuomo, surrounded by dozens of crane-ogling journalists and officials on a 149-passenger ferry off Piermont. “Every New Yorker should love this crane because it’s saving us a lot of money – as much as a billion dollars.”

The crane was a factor in the ability of Tappan Zee Constructors to win the $3.1 billion contract to design and build the new TZB, underbidding its two competitors by almost $1 billion in the process. Its superior lifting ability will allow much of the new bridge’s superstructure to be assembled off site and hoisted into place, slicing time and expense off the construction bill.

Darrell Waters, TZC’s president, said the crane will start work this week, and construction, concentrated in the river until now, will become more vertical and visible by the end of the year.

“We are 24 percent complete and we are on time and on budget,’’ said Waters, adding that 65 percent of the piles that will ultimately support the new bridge’s piers have been installed.

What surprised the welcoming party on the ferry was how ordinary the partially collapsed crane looked as it glided toward the TZB at four knots – despite sitting on a barge the size of a football field.

Its jaw-dropping size only became apparent when the ferry swung around it and the crane could be viewed against the bridge – and then it towered over the bridge and the 130 other pieces of construction equipment, including 31 cranes, in the water.

TZC will fill the barge with water and further collapse portions of the crane Tuesday in preparation for moving the I Lift NY beneath the bridge, 139 feet above the Hudson at low tide, Wednesday. Waters said he expects to have three feet of clearance.

As the ferry returned to Piermont, Cuomo was peppered with questions about what the tolls will be when the new bridge opens in 2018, a subject he has avoided in this election year.

The governor said that the state needs “a little more information” before it can speculate about the tolls. He pointed out incentives and penalties in the construction contract, as well as additional state or federal aid, could ultimately affect the project’s cost and the amount to be raised through tolls.

“It’s four years down the road,’’ he said.

judyrife@gmail.com

http://www.recordonline.com/article/20141006/NEWS/141009636/101008/NEWSLETTER100

Super Crane to Travel up the Hudson 10/6/2014

update

For immediate release: October 5, 2014

I LIFT NEW YORK SUPER CRANE SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO
NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT SITE ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 6

The I Lift NY super crane, one of the world’s largest floating cranes, is scheduled to travel from New York harbor up the Hudson River to the New NY Bridge project site on Monday morning October 6.

The giant crane, which will help build the new bridge and remove the old bridge more quickly and economically, is expected to leave its berth early Monday morning and arrive at the project site between 11 am and noon. However, the trip is subject to schedule changes or cancellation due to weather conditions or other safety factors.

You can track the crane’s transit up the Hudson using the New NY Bridge GPS tracking system here.

I Lift NY
has a height of 328 feet and a 1,900-ton lift capacity. Built on a 384-foot barge, it has no navigational power of its own, and will be guided to the project site by two tugboats. You can find more information here.

The crane was christened the “Left Coast Lifter” for its role in a major bridge construction project in the San Francisco Bay area. It made the 6,000-mile journey to New York via the Panama Canal in January, 2014.

 

Going Vertical First Columns Rise out of the Hudson

 

Following extensive pile installation and other foundation work in the Hudson River over the past year, the first permanent, vertical elements of the New NY Bridge are beginning to take shape: Two 40-foot steel cage towers now stand near the Westchester shore. Soon—with the addition of high-strength concrete—the first pier for the westbound span will be created.

“Everything we’ve been doing to date has been below the surface. This new work is giving people the first opportunity to see the bridge rising above the water,” noted Thruway Authority Construction Compliance Engineer Tom McGuinness.

The columns—over 130 in total—eventually will support the steel girders and deck of the new bridge. The girders and decking will be lifted in place by the soon-to-arrive I Lift NY super crane.

The steel cage frameworks for the piers are pre-assembled at a site several miles upriver. The rebar cages are transported to the project site by barge and lifted into place by floating cranes.

After the steel cages are carefully inspected, they are filled with concrete produced by the project’sfloating batch plants. Enclosing forms are erected around the frameworks to enable the concrete to set in the shape of the piers that will hold up the new twin-span structure.

The floating concrete batch plants maneuver around the river, mixing the precise amount of concrete required and using an extending arm to apply the material directly into the frameworks. The concrete flows around the steel cages and eventually hardens to form steel-reinforced concrete. The composite material is remarkably strong and capable of supporting the new bridge for the next century or more.

The New NY Bridge project remains on schedule and on budget as it approaches the one-year anniversary of new bridge construction that began with permanent pile installation in October 2013. Local residents can expect to see more and more vertical pier structures rise out of the river in the coming months as construction progress continues.

September 26, 2014 |

A Visit from the Past Original Tappan Zee Engineer Visits New NY Bridge Project

September 16, 2014

The New NY Bridge Rockland Community Outreach Center welcomed a surprising visitor earlier this month: an engineer from the original Tappan Zee Bridge construction team. Jerry Sondack was in his late 20s when he helped build the existing bridge more than half a century ago. Now, as the replacement bridge rises out of the Hudson River, the 90-year-old World War II veteran stopped by to learn how the new structure is being engineered to meet the needs of the growing region.

As a young man living in New York City in the 1950s, Sondack heard about the Thruway’s plans for a new bridge and was eager to contribute. He approached engineers from Madigan-Hyland, the engineering firm that built the Tappan Zee Bridge, asking how he could get involved.

Eventually, Sondack was engaged full time on the project. One of the many former military men who worked on construction of the Tappan Zee, he says their experience in America’s armed forces helped foster a safe and efficient working environment amid the immense construction equipment and materials.

Sondack’s day-to-day activities included surveying the Tappan Zee Bridge’s caissons, which are hollow concrete bases that support much of the bridge.

Now, as the region’s growing population increases demands on the aging Tappan Zee Bridge, Sondack told project officials, “[Rockland] county needs a bridge of greater capacity; the old bridge won’t be able to handle this in the future. We need a new bridge that will sustain the flow of people into Rockland in the years ahead.”

Sondack observed the scale of the New NY Bridge project evokes the project he worked on all those years ago. “When you take on a project this grand, the amount of coordination and tight-knit supervision is extraordinary,” he noted.

Sondack’s work on the landmark Tappan Zee Bridge project boosted his career, helping him land future jobs and pursue other business opportunities. After the project’s completion, he settled in the Spring Valley area of Rockland County for over a decade. Now as a retiree, he looks forward to crossing the new bridge when the first span opens in 2016.

The New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers in Westchester and Rockland counties are open seven days a week. For locations and hours, visit NewNYBridge.com/contac

2014 New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

 

Art Show Bridges the Hudson:  

Exhibits on Display this Month


Dozens of art works interpreting the Tappan Zee Bridge and marking the construction of the New NY Bridge will be on display this fall at the new bridge project Community Outreach Centers in Rockland and Westchester. The art was created for the New York State Thruway Authority’s 2014 Bridge Art Show, a juried exhibition that invited local painters, sculptors and photographers to showcase their interpretations of the new bridge design or the existing Tappan Zee Bridge.

READ MORE

The New NY Bridge team’s high standards of quality and precision are crucial to the day-to-day operations of the project. To ensure that the bridge’s foundation piles are welded with consistent accuracy, skilled operators are utilizing advanced mechanical welding machines.

READ MORE

The Hudson Valley is a unique geological formation, created by receding glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. As the colossal sheets of ice melted and formed the Great Lakes, the melt-water rushed down the Palisades and filled the Hudson Valley with enough sediment to bury the Statue of Liberty. This torrential force of nature created the striking Hudson Valley landscape and more recently, a number of geotechnical hurdles for the New NY Bridge project.

READ MORE

 

The New York State Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) and the U.S. Coast Guard have worked together to establish a safe channel for recreational boaters looking to access Piermont’s popular waterfront. The newly-marked channel is part of the New NY Bridge project team’s ongoing efforts to enhance boater safety in and around the construction area.

RED MOR

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will it take to build the bridge?
A: The northern span of the new twin-span bridge is scheduled to open in December 2016. The completed twin-span bridge, with westbound traffic on the new northern span and eastbound traffic on the new southern span, is scheduled to open in April 2018.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates

UPDATED: VIEWING PLATFORMS TAKE SHAPE AS CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT

 

update

For immediate release: September 5, 2014

UPDATED: VIEWING PLATFORMS TAKE SHAPE AS CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT

Construction on the New NY Bridge viewing platform in Nyack took another step forward this past week as Nyack officials broke ground on a new fishing pier in Memorial Park. The pier will be the site of the Rockland viewing platform. The plan for the site is the result of months of collaboration between village officials and the New NY Bridge project team

Viewing platforms in Nyack and at Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park in Tarrytown will provide residents and visitors with an unobstructed and easily accessible view of the historic project’s progress and will include spotter’s guides, informational signs and high tech binoculars.

The installation of the new bridge’s pile caps will continue the week of Sept. 8. The caps, which cover the foundation piles installed in the river, are large hollow tubs that are fabricated offsite. The forms weigh several hundred tons and are barged to the project site for installation. Once in place, they are filled with reinforcing steel and concrete.

Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundation for the New NY Bridge. Work will include pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

A second shift of workers will also continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with permanent foundations.

TZC will also continue construction on the new bridge’s Westchester landing, drilling holes into the bedrock for the foundation. This drilling process will produce less noise than the impact pile driving alternative, and TZC has installed sound mitigation to further reduce noise levels for the eight-week operation. The work will continue to the new westbound abutment in Westchester over the next few weeks.

Sheet pile installation at the Rockland landing is complete at this time. The sheet piles will allow TZC to excavate soil in that location and construct the westbound landing for the new bridge.

Work will continue on the Rockland work trestle near the shoreline, including pile driving and cofferdam installation. The trestle will support equipment used for the construction of the westernmost section of the new bridge.

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 five knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Sept 08 Northbound, Left Lane near Exit 9 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday Sept 09 Northbound, Left Lane near Exit 9 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Sept 10 Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
  • Pile Cap foundation construction
  • Main Span foundation construction
  • Rockland Landing construction
  • Westchester landing construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle

T.Z. Bridge: State cops move to Rockland from Tarrytown

LoHud august 8, 2014 Theresa Juva-Brown, tjuva@lohud.com

If you’re looking for the state police station in Tarrytown, be prepared to drive across the Tappan Zee Bridge to Rockland.

Troopers have moved to 160 N. Route 303 in West Nyack, where they will share a 42,000-square-foot building with 28 Thruway Authority employees for the next four years. It also is housing the headquarters of Zone 1, which includes three state police barracks in the region.

The Thruway and state police leave behind an 18,000-square-foot building on Route 9 that will be torn down in the next year to make way for Tappan Zee Bridge construction activities.

“We were over there for 50-plus years in that barracks,” said state police Capt. Richard Mazzone, commander of Zone 1. “The move — when you’ve been in the building that long — is certainly a little difficult, but we certainly planned it well, and we’ve made the move rather seamless.”

 

1407530944000-sh080714police10 1407457197006-sh080714police07

 

Though the Tarrytown station is now in Rockland, it has retained its Westchester identity.

“We are referring to it as the Tarrytown barracks,” Mazzone said. “This is a temporary facility.”

In 2018 after the new Tappan Zee Bridge is completed, state police and the Thruway Authority will move back to Tarrytown to separate locations that have yet to be built.

For the past month, troopers have been settling into the transformed warehouse, the former Journal News printing plant. The new building has its perks — a lot more space — but also drawbacks — a lack of windows and natural light.

Mazzone said he doesn’t know of any problems with people finding the new location, which is a couple miles from the Tappan Zee, unlike the old barracks.

“As far as the 100 miles of roadway in Zone 1, the bridge is one of the most critical pieces of roadway,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be nicer when we get back in the new facility, where I can look out the window and actually see the bridge.”

That will be especially important because the new 3-mile crossing will have a path for cyclists and pedestrians.

“We’re certainly anticipating some additional responsibilities with the shared-use path,” Mazzone said.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/08/08/tappan-zee-cops-move-rockland-keep-westchester-name/13795079/

 

PROJECT UPDATE FOR BOATERS

update

NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT ESTABLISHES SAFE CHANNEL FOR PIERMONT BOATERS

Following collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, the New NY Bridge project team has installed channel markers near Piermont to help guide recreational boaters to and from the Hudson River Main Channel.

Soil borings will begin in South Nyack near the intersection of S. Broadway and Cornelison Ave. during the week of August 11 to inform preliminary design options. The samples of material will be taken in different areas to help designers understand subsurface conditions that may be experienced during construction. Some survey activities are also being performed to support these design investigations. These operations require temporary lane closures and traffic control measures including flaggers to maintain safety and movement of local traffic.

Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews place the foundation for the New NY Bridge. Work will include pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

A second shift of workers will also continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with permanent foundations.

Sheet pile driving at locations on land and near the Rockland landing is temporarily on hold due to high noise levels from the operation. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) continues to implement additional noise-reducing measures at sheet pile driving operations at the Rockland Landing and in the river at one of the closest piers to the shoreline. Sheet pile driving operations will continue as soon as noise is at an allowable level.

Work will continue on the Rockland work trestle near the shoreline, including pile driving. The trestle will support equipment used for the construction of the western-most section of the new bridge.

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 five knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed 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 requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Aug 11 Northbound, Left Lane near Exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday Aug 11 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Tuesday Aug 12 Southbound, Left Lane approaching the Toll Plaza and Left hand EZ-Pass Lanes. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday Aug 12 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Wednesday Aug 13 Northbound, Left Lane near Exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Aug 13 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Thursday Aug 14 Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday Aug 14 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Friday Aug 15 Southbound, Right Lane near exit 9 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday Aug 15 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
  • Pile Cap foundation construction
  • Main Span foundation construction
  • Rockland Landing construction
  • Westchester Landing construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge

Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle

Building the Backbone of the New NY Bridge


Main Span Bases Rise out of the Hudson

August 7, 2014

Two enormous structures with bases the size of football fields are rising out of the Hudson River at the New NY Bridge project site. These concrete monoliths are the pile caps that will act as the structural backbone for New York’s largest bridge and highway infrastructure project, distributing the weight of the bridge onto dozens of steel foundation piles.

The main span pile caps will support the bridge’s 400-foot towers, and require months of preparation to complete.

To construct these main span pile caps, steel pilings are first driven deep into the riverbed, reaching bedrock hundreds of feet below the surface. Once all the piles are in place, a series of concrete floor panels is pieced together around them, outlining the footprint of the pile cap as the supporting base for its concrete pour. The team then positions heavy steel panels precisely around the edge of this footprint to form a massive tub, which is sealed to be watertight and carefully lowered into the river to bring its base to the proper final level for the concrete pile cap.

Next, workers build the pile cap’s reinforcement system inside this lowered tub. The team installs high-strength steel reinforcement bars, called rebar, to closely-engineered dimensions within the form.

The project’s floating batch plantsare then moved adjacent to the pile cap, and each form is filled with concrete specially formulated for long-term durability. The process continues over many hours until the entire footprint is covered with concrete to the specified depth. Once this steel-reinforced concrete hardens, the backbone of the new structure will have taken shape.

Learn more about how steel piles are transported to the project site, or installed with the well-being of local wildlife in mind.

 

 

Read complete Monthly Newsletter here:

http://www.newnybridgegallery.com/updates/august-2014-new-ny-bridge-monthly-newsletter/

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE

update

Nighttime and overnight electrical work on the Tarrytown approach to the Tappan Zee Bridge will continue the week of August 4. The I-87 northbound/I-287 westbound right lane will be closed Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8 from 9 p.m. each evening to 5 a.m. the following morning. The Thruway will remain open to traffic during these operations.

Construction will continue in the Hudson River as crews install foundations for the New NY Bridge. Work will include pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

A second shift of workers will also continue pile welding, pile cleanout and concrete placement operations associated with permanent foundations.

Sheet pile driving at locations on land and near the Rockland landing is temporarily on hold due to high noise levels from the operation. TZC will implement additional noise-reducing measures before resuming these operations. Sheet pile driving will commence once the measures are in place. All other construction activities not associated with driving the sheet piles will continue.

Work will also continue on the Rockland temporary work trestle near the county shoreline, including pile driving to install the temporary foundations needed to support the platform. The trestles will support cranes for the construction of the western-most section of the new bridge.

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 five knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are illuminated at night as are all moorings, barges and other equipment.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Aug 4 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 9 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday Aug 4 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Tuesday Aug 5 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Wednesday Aug 6 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Thursday Aug 7 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Friday Aug 8 Northbound, Right Lane approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
  • Pile cap foundation construction
  • Main span foundation construction
  • Rockland landing construction
  • Westchester landing construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle

T.Z. viewing areas in Nyack, Tarrytown to open this fall

The public will be able to see construction up close and learn all about the mega-project.

The two designated spots from which people can watch the new Tappan Zee Bridge get built are likely to open in October.

The sites will be at parks in Nyack and Tarrytown and feature view finders, seats and detail-rich panels about constructing the world’s widest bridge.

Even though the river villages share a common goal, they are working separately to build their respective viewing areas.

Local officials anticipate the spots will prove to be tourist draws, and entice people to spend money at village shops and restaurants.

Nyack

Rockland’s viewing area is piggybacking on a long-planned conversion of the fishing pier at the southern end of Memorial Park.

The village is planning to hold a groundbreaking during the first week of August, Mayor Jen Laird-White said. It had already secured a $150,000 grant from New York’s state department when Tappan Zee project officials approached it about using the 90-foot long pier as an official vantage point.

Laird-White called it “frosting on the cake” since the village would receive $50,000 to make the pier even more of an attraction.

Village trustees last Thursday awarded a contract for installation of the piles for the pier.

Pile driving is expected to begin in late August followed by decking, Village Administrator Jim Politi said.

“Once you set the pilings, which I’m sure will take a couple of weeks, then building the actual structure is another couple of weeks,” he said.

From that point, Politi said it was just a matter to adding the decorative lighting, fancy wood railings and the bridge-related materials.

The viewing area should be ready in October, he said.

Tarrytown

Village trustees last week authorized a $50,000 contract with the state Thruway Authority to move forward on the viewing area at RiverWalk Park at the end of West Main Street, Village Administrator Mike Blau said. Both Tarrytown and Nyack are receiving funding through a special $20 million community fund set up for the project. The Thruway Authority and bridge builder Tappan Zee Constructors are jointly contributing to it.

Once the village receives the technical specifications from the Thruway’s design consultant, it will put the project out to bid, likely in mid-August.

After the bids are received and one selected, Blau expects work will begin in mid- to late September.

“It shouldn’t take that long to actually do the construction end of this project,” he said, anticipating an early October opening date.

According to project renderings, a tiered timber bench will be added to the existing round deck that’s largely enclosed by a stone wall. A pergola will provide shade for visitors.

Three colorful interpretive panels will offer a bevy of information: from an overview of the construction site to design and features of the $3.9 billion bridge to a project schedule. A “spotter’s guide” for the different types of equipment being used on the river may prove most popular of all.

Besides describing what each vessel does, the guide also offers a factoid about each one. For example, the super crane registered as the Left Coast Lifter is longer than a football field while one floating concrete batch plant can produce enough concrete to fill 100 cement trucks in a single day.

There is no mention of tolls.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

President Obama and Governor Cuomo

 Visit New NY Bridge Project Site


With the Tappan Zee Bridge and the New NY Bridge project site in the background, President Obama stood by the Hudson River to make a push for funding transportation infrastructure. The Highway Trust Fund is projected to be insolvent by the fall, and the President is calling on Congress to […]

READ MORE

07-08-2014

The New NY Bridge team is reaching out to New York firms, suppliers and subcontractors – particularly disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) – to aid construction efforts. DBEs are defined by the U.S Department of Transportation as small businesses that are owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals such as women, minorities, veterans or disabled persons.

 

READ MORE

07-01-2014 
 

Road work along highways and ramps presents safety challenges to both motorists and construction crews. The New York State Thruway Authority keeps the public informed and up to date on the latest construction activities to help ensure the safety of motorists as well as Thruway and Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) workers.

 

READ MORE

06-17-2014 
 

Native to the Hudson River and once plentiful here, the shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon were identified as endangered species and fishing of them was halted in 1996. Since then, the sturgeon population has been growing steadily in the Hudson, one of the species’ most important habitats.…»

 

READ MORE

06-24-2014 
 

The New NY Bridge team is reducing the project’s impact to the environment through the use of construction platforms-known as trestles on either side of the Hudson River. The trestles, which extend 1,000 feet from each shoreline and run parallel to the existing bridge, enable heavy duty machinery to work over shallow water and reduce the […]…»

 

READ MORE

The New NY Bridge project is now accepting submissions for its 2014 Bridge Art Show. The juried exhibit is an opportunity for local artists to showcase their interpretations of the new bridge design or the existing Tappan Zee Bridge.The project’s Visual Quality Panel – which includes Rockland and Westchester representatives involved in the arts, architecture, […]

 

READ MORE

People Behind the New NY Bridge

  

 

Minelly De Coo

Design Production Team Area Manager

Minelly De Coo is an area manager for the design production team, who coordinates efforts between the office and the field. As an environmental specialist, she analyzed sound data and worked with the project’s visual quality panel to help design the project’s noise barriers. Minelly is also involved in the environmental monitoring for the project, overseeing sound monitoring stations and directing crew members in the field. She is notified of any environmental concerns that may arise, and works to see that they are resolved in a timely manner. An invaluable member of the project team, Minelly is proud to see progress on the bridge as it rises out of the Hudson River.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q:
A:
The existing bridge has only seven lanes, some of which are narrower than the current standard width of 12 feet. The new bridge will have eight 12-foot-wide lanes. The wide shoulders of the new crossing will greatly reduce the impact of disabled vehicles and accidents, which can cause massive tie-ups on the existing bridge. The incline over the main span will not be as steep, allowing large trucks to maintain consistent speed and reduce engine and braking noise. There will also be gently banked curves to help smooth traffic flow and reduce accidents. The new bridge will also include all-electronic toll collection technology, which allows motorists to pay tolls without slowing down from highway speeds. Motorists without E-ZPass will be automatically billed by mail.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the 

View the latest issues of theNew NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates

 

Tappan Zee Bridge path critic teams with South Nyack

Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com11:20 p.m. EDT July 4, 2014

South Nyack beefs up its TZ Task Force as it tackles surrounding the new crossing’s bike and walking path.

In March, Greg Toolan stood in front of more than 150 people and said there had to be a better way to link the village with the pedestrian and bicycle path coming with the new Tappan Zee Bridge, offering Interchange 10 on the Thruway as a possible solution.

Following a public outcry, the three members of South Nyack’s bridge task force quickly decided to hit the reset button, asking the Tappan Zee project team to work with them to take another look at where the path would end in the village, where people would park and other local impacts.

The task force also made another move: it added Toolan to its team, along with Nancy Willen, who recently retired from the Clarkstown Highway Department.

Toolan, a land surveyor currently working on the Second Avenue subway project in Manhattan, has remained active since that contentious meeting with village and project officials at Nyack College. In many ways, he represents the other village residents who spoke that night, those skeptical of the state’s intentions and worried about the dangers that drivers in search of parking in neighborhoods would pose to residents.

A resident since 2007, Toolan, his wife and three children live on Cornelison Avenue, not far from the proposed site for the path’s terminus at the corner of his street and South Broadway. That terminus would be directly across from a southbound entrance to the Thruway.

“I’m pretty directly affected by what’s happening with that” path, Toolan said, describing its location “an afterthought” on the state’s part.

Rather than just complain, Toolan has been trying to come up with solutions, as he’s well-versed in blueprints and design technicalities.

Even before joining the task force, he met with project engineers to pitch a plan. It’s a bit complicated but basically allows Interchange 10 to remain a construction staging area for the duration of building, but eliminates the need to circle entirely around the interchange. Instead, he envisions a roundabout near South Franklin Street. He calls for reconnecting Route 9W back to Hillside Avenue to handle two-way traffic and closing off the Thruway entrance on South Broadway, so the ramp can be used for parking.

Though he has no hard cost figures, he admits it would carry “quite a price tag.”

“It’s kind of grandiose, but it all makes sense,” Toolan said. He also belongs to the Tappan Zee Gateway Alliance, a recently formed group concerned about the location of the shared path.

A rendering of Toolan’s proposal will be included in a meeting to update the community of the different ideas. It may take place this month.

Toolan remains a pragmatist though. He said ending the path at Cornelison as originally planned remains “a huge possibility.”

But it won’t be for a lack of effort from him and others in the community.

“I know there’s a lot of animosity you can get wrapped up in, but I would rather get a good solution than focus on what was done in the past,” Toolan said.

Willen, a 10-year resident of South Nyack, acknowledged that while she had to catch up with the rest of the volunteer task force, her experience working as confidential secretary to the highway superintendent for 16 years made her familiar with some of the issues and players involved.

Connie Coker, a member of the village task force, was excited to see what the two newest members would bring to the conversation.

“I think they’re both really going to add a lot,” Coker said.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/07/02/tappan-zee-path-critic-joins-forces-south-nyack/12062033/

Tappan Zee project: State troopers set up shop in Rockland

LoHud; Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com11:13 p.m. EDT July 4, 2014

The state police and the Thruway Authority have temporarily shifted their operations due to Tappan Zee Bridge construction. They will be in Rockland until 2018.

State troopers and Thruwa maintenance workers will call Rockland home for at least the next four years while the new Tappan Zee Bridge is being built.

State Police Troop T and the state Thruway Authority this week began relocating their operations from  Tarrytown to the former Journal News printing plant at 160 N. Route 303 in West Nyack. The building is near Interchange 12 on the Thruway, across the street from the Palisades Center mall.

Capt. Richard Mazzone, the zone commander, said they are 95 percent moved in.

“Everything that was in Tarrytown is coming over here,” Mazzone told The Journal News. “Obviously, we still have a lot of unpacking to do. But we’re up and running.”

The state police and Thruway facilities at 333 S. Broadway in Tarrytown will be demolished and the land used as a staging area during construction of the $3.9 billion bridge. Part of the property will later be included in the bridge’s alignment.

In 2018, the state police will move back to new barracks in Tarrytown, this time on the south side of the Thruway, near the current site of the Thruway Authority’s toll plaza building.

The authority’s maintenance operations will also return to Westchester, north of the new bridge. They are expected to share space with a parking lot and facilities that will serve users of the bridge’s  3-mile bicycle and pedestrian path that will connect to South Nyack.

The shift to the 42,000-square-foot warehouse had been anticipated for more than a year.

Tappan Zee Constructors, the team designing and building the new bridge, began work to renovate the facility in January. It is contractually obligated to relocate the two agencies and rebuild their facilities when construction is finished.

Back in February, The Journal News reported some of the changes the site would see including doubling on-site parking to 145 spaces from 73 and adding an 8-foot-high fence to serve as a buffer between Thruway parking lots and homes on North Greenbush Road.

Troopers will use the north part of the building and the parking lot toward Route 303. Mazzone said people should continue to call 911 during emergencies and Thruway dispatchers at 800-842-2233 for non-emergency situations.

The Thruway Authority will use the back of the building, and carry out maintenance, welding, rigging and electric work in existing shop space. About 30 Thruway maintenance workers are moving over from Tarrytown to West Nyack, a Tappan Zee project official said.

Tim Donovan, project manager for Hauser Brothers Inc., which owns the building, noted the warehouse had been vacant for years and said the company was excited the space would generate income until at least 2018.

“It’s nice to have it leased and leased for that amount of time,” Donovan said.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

Tappan Zee could be pathway to tourism in Rockland

Tourism experts say the new crossing and an enhanced bus system could lure tourists and their money to Rockland but officials need to start planning now.

Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com11:25 a.m. EDT July 1, 2014

1402940492000-nnyb-rend-15

Most of the talk about the Tappan Zee Bridge project so far has been about construction, noise and how the state will pay for the crossing.

But on Monday, the conversation took a new direction: the bridge as a money generator.

“You’re in a good place here right now, particularly with some of the development at the Tappan Zee Bridge and what’s going to happen,” Mary Kay Vrba, tourism director for Dutchess County, told 50 people at “Destination Rockland: Blazing New Trails in Tourism” at Nyack College.

A group of marketing experts, business leaders and elected officials saw visions of cash registers being filled up by tourists walking or bicycling over the bridge’s dedicated path into Rockland County. A revitalized bus system slated to be ready when the $3.9 billion span opens in 2018 could bring more.

Rockland Legislative Chair Alden Wolfe organized the three-hour conference, stating that it marked the “launching point” for further discussion.

Vrba drew parallels between the upcoming Tappan Zee path and the Walkway Over the Hudson, a 1.2-mile-long pedestrian walkway connecting Highland and Poughkeepsie that draws 700,000 visitors a year. Rockland has most of the ingredients to became a destination with its access to the Hudson River, a bevy of hiking trails and parks, and quaint river villages filled with stores and restaurants.

Downtown Poughkeepsie, on the other hand, lacks popular tourist draws like art galleries, she said.

“They walk the bridge and they say, ‘What next?’ ” Vrba said. “So you’ve got the what next, I think, with Nyack and Piermont and a lot of the shops and everything. You’ve got a product that you can work with. I think you have some real opportunities.”

Officials have the luxury of time to take a look at their towns and villages, address their needs and invest in a tourism plan, she said.

South Nyack and Tappan Zee project officials are still struggling to figure out where people who want to use the path will park in the village. The project team is expected to hold a meeting soon with several concepts proposed by the community, Mayor Bonnie Christian said.

Asked how they addressed parking for the Walkway Over the Hudson, Vrba said the land on both sides was municipally owned and purchased by the state parks department so they could be converted into paid lots. They also had the benefit in Poughkeepsie of parking garages six blocks away.

Veronica Vanterpool, executive director of Tri-State Transportation Campaign and a member of the task force that recently came up with transit recommendations for the bridge, said it was seeking a “transformation” of the existing Tappan ZEExpress service to entice more riders. There would be modern buses, traveling more frequently, utilizing technology like off-board fare collection, but some have said the plan didn’t work.

The system, known as bus rapid transit, is still in the conceptual stage. There are no cost estimates, and only $20 million in state seed money to date.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

World War II Destroyer makes it’s way up the Hudson River

Tappan Zee: Artists prepare for Bridge Art Show

LoHud By Theresa Juva-BrownTjuva@lohud.com11:07 p.m. EDT June 23, 2014

For Kenneth Burns, the Tappan Zee Bridge is a crossing between his bustling city past and his quieter suburban life.

“I love my life up here,” he said. “The bridge gave me that.” After working and living in New York City for decades, the 70-year-old is now retired in New City, where he has spent the past eight years developing himself as a painter. He dabbles in watercolor and acrylics. “I mainly do landscapes, abstract landscapes,” he said. “I’m not ever going to make money out of it — it’s just a joy. It’s fun.”

The 2014 Bridge Art Show

Burns is working on a Tappan Zee painting to submit to the 2014 Bridge Art Show, sponsored by the Tappan Zee project team, along with ArtsWestchester, Rockland Center for the Arts, Rivertown Artists Workshop and Nyack Art Collective.The show, which is accepting entries from the public, has already drawn six submissions since it was announced earlier this month, officials say. “You will recognize the bridge, but it will be kind of a cloudy situation,” Burns said of his piece. “Moody is the the proper word. Not much color involved.” Photographers, painters and sculptors have until July 31 to submit their interpretations of the old and new Tappan Zee.

The project’s visual quality panel will select one winner and two runners-up. All the pieces will be displayed at the project’s community centers in Nyack and Tarrytown. For more show guidelines, see newnybridge.com. Mary Louise Allen, Burns’ wife, said she is excited about the exhibit. “I would love to see what my husband comes up with and see how he stacks up against the other local artists,” she said. “It will help him in his pursuit as an artist. He is always inspired by seeing the work of other artists.”

 

Read Complete article on line here: http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/06/23/tappan-zee-artists-prepare-bridge-art-show/11108353/

 

CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK OF 6/23

update

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue work on the Rockland County landing of the new bridge.  The work will last several weeks and includes the installation of sheet piles, some measuring over 50 feet long.  These interlocking steel sheets will support the existing roadway during the excavation and construction process.  A large crane with a vibratory pile hammer will install the sheets, and be positioned behind a temporary concrete barrier in South Nyack.

In Westchester County, crews will conduct directional boring for future utility relocations under I-87/I-287 west of the toll plazas from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. the week of June 23.  The overnight operation requires the closing of various toll lanes.  Different tolls lanes will be affected as the work progresses.  The Thruway will remain open at all times.

Construction of the New NY Bridge will continue with pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

A second shift of workers will also continue pile welding operations associated with permanent foundations.

Work will also continue on the Rockland temporary work trestle near the county shorelines, including pile driving to install the temporary foundations needed to support the platform. The trestles will support cranes for the construction of the western-most section of the new bridge.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday June 23 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday June 23 Southbound, Toll Plaza Lanes 6-7-8 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Tuesday June 24 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday June 24 Southbound, Toll Plaza Lanes 6-7-8 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Wednesday June 25 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday June 25 Southbound, Toll Plaza Lanes 8-9-10 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Thursday June 26 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday June 26 Southbound, Toll Plaza Lanes 8-9-10 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Friday June 27 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is now available on the project website, NewNYBridge.com, for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.  More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
  • Rockland Landing construction
  • Westchester Landing utility relocations
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
  • Armoring of Dredge channel
  • Relocation/Moving to the Temporary Joint Facility at exit 12

State to loan $511M for new TZ Bridge

LoHud; Joseph Spector, TJN3:03 p.m. EDT June 16, 2014

1402940492000-nnyb-rend-15

The state’s Environmental Facilities Corp. said today it will loan up to $511 million to the new Tappan Zee Bridge project, a move that will help with the financing of the $3.9 billion project.It’s the latest effort by the state to fund the bridge and limit toll increases when the new 3-mile span across the Hudson River is completed in 2018.“As we continue to see progress on the New NY Bridge, it is essential that actions are taken to protect wildlife and address the project’s environmental impacts – but in a way that doesn’t overburden taxpayers and drivers,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement obtained by Gannett.

The loan, which is financed through federal aid, will be used for environmental protection and Hudson River restoration projects related to the bridge’s construction. The projects include protecting water quality and marine life in the Hudson River estuary, including endangered sturgeon, oyster beds and other habitats.The loan comes through the EFC’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund. State officials said it won’t impact other projects.It’s the newest loan for the project. The largest loan, $1.6 billion, was announced last year by the federal Department of Transportation.

With the low-interest loans, state officials said it will help keep tolls down on the new bridge, which is being financed through the state Thruway Authority. The round-trip toll on the current bridge is $5, but there have been concerns that it could go as high as $14 on the new bridge.The Thruway Authority will need to approve the loan and is expected to start using it in August, state officials said.The Environmental Facilities Corp. is the financing arm for the state to provide low-interest loans to local governments and agencies for drinking water, wastewater infrastructure and other clean-water projects.Last year, EFC financed close to $2 billion in clean-water investments statewide, a news release from Cuomo’s office said.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/politics-on-the-hudson/2014/06/16/state-loan-511m-new-tz-bridge/10627953/

 

Pile work for Tappan Zee Bridge starting in South Nyack

Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com

Sheet piles will be installed just off River Road to create a temporary support wall for the Rockland landing of the new bridge.

Work is starting later this week to install 60-foot-long flat sheet piles along the northbound Thruway near River Road. The work will last about three weeks and take place only during the day, said Carla Julian, spokeswoman for bridge builder Tappan Zee Constructors. The sheet piles, which are different from the round pipe piles being used in the Hudson, will create a temporary continuous wall that will support the Thruway during the excavation and construction for the Rockland landing of the new bridge, Julian said in an email.

About 45 to 50 sheets are needed to cover approximately 100 feet, and crews typically average three piles per day, Julian saidThe site formerly housed a state Thruway Authority maintenance building; it was demolished a few weeks ago. A 165-foot tall crane positioned just off River Road will install the piles into the ground using a vibratory hammer, an alternative to louder pile driving.

The interlocking sheets are installed in sequence. Julian said crews first install a 25-foot-high template, lift and swing a sheet into the template, position it and drive enough of the pile to stand in the template, drive additional sheets, move the template and drive the piles the remaining depth.”The actual pile driving is the fastest part of the process and is not done in one shot,” she said.Tappan Zee Constructors crews are expected to be on the site Wednesday to mobilize and plan to begin work on Thursday or Friday.The pile work will require the closure of the right lane on the northbound Thruway for some of the operation, Julian said.

The lane will be closed this week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. The project team has a video on YouTube providing an animated look at the construction of the new bridge’s main span foundation and towers.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/06/10/pile-work-tappan-zee-bridge-starting-south-nyack/10280581/

FOUNDATION WORK CONTINUES ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE

Bridge Project Update

For immediate release: May 30, 2014

new

FOUNDATION WORK CONTINUES ON THE NEW NY BRIDGE

Construction of the New NY Bridge continues the week of June 2 with pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. A second shift of workers will also continue pile welding operations associated with permanent foundations.

Marine crews are working from the shorelines of Rockland and Westchester counties, moving outward to place permanent foundation piles. Work on the foundations for the main span will continue as well. To learn more about the main span foundation and tower construction see the new “Bridge Rising” animation on NewNYBridge.com

Work will also continue on the Rockland work trestles near the county shorelines, including pile driving to install the temporary foundations needed to support the platforms. The trestle will support cranes for the construction of the western-most sections of the new bridge.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday June 2 Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday June 3 Southbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday June 4 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday June 5 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday June 6 Northbound, Right Lane near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge, weather permitting. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is now available on the project website, NewNYBridge.com, for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.  More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site maps, can be found here.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
  • Rockland Landing construction
  • Westchester Landing construction
  • River Road utility work
  • Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
  • Armoring of Dredge channel
  • Construction of Temporary Joint Facility at exit 12

Fast facts on the Tappan Zee Bridge project

LoHud May 15, 2014 Theresa Juva-Brown

President Obama Barack announced in late 2011 that replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge was a top infrastructure priority, reviving a decade-old plan that many believed would never happen.

With a big boost from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the project raced ahead, and in Dec. 2012 the New York State Thruway Authority awarded a $3.1 billion construction contract to Tappan Zee Constructors. The twin-span crossing is set to be completed in 2018.

Here’s what to know about one of the largest public works projects in North America:

$3.9 to $4.8 billion: estimated final project price tag after financing, management and contigency costs are added.

$1.6 billion: the federal loan the project is receiving under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program.

6,000: number of miles the Left Coast Lifter traveled from California to New Jersey, where it is being docked before going up the Hudson River next month. It is one of the world’s largest floating cranes.

1,750: metric tons the Left Coast Lifter can hoist. It will be used to move enormous deck sections and take down the existing bridge.

1,000: the number of steel pipe piles that will be installed in the river to support the foundation of the crossing.

350: number of workers currently toiling away on the river.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/05/14/tappan-zee-bridge-fast-facts/9089741/

Obama, at Tappan Zee Bridge, pushes transportation funding

The president will seek to rally support for more federal dollars for highway and bridge improvements.

TARRYTOWN – With the new Tappan Zee Bridge taking shape behind him, President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged Congress to inject billions of dollars in the nation’s transportation infrastructure to keep Americans working and encourage businesses to stay.

During his first visit to Westchester as president, Obama praised the progress on the new $3.9 billion crossing, which is replacing the 58-year-old crumbling structure.

“It carries a lot more traffic than when it was built back in 1955,” Obama said under sunny skies at Sunset Cove, a restaurant at the Washington Irving Boat Club. “At times, you can see the river through the cracks in the pavement. Now, I’m not an engineer, but I figure that’s not good.”

Highlights from President Obama’s speech on the country’s infrastructure at near the Tappan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown. (Video by Peter Carr/The Journal News)

He noted the new Tappan Zee will be the first new bridge in New York in 50 years and announced the federal government plans to apply the same “fast track” process to 11 other infrastructure projects, including Boston’s South Station and light rail around Seattle.

“Normally it would have taken three to five years to permit this bridge,” Obama said during his 10-minute speech. “We did it in a year and a half.”

With the Tappan Zee Bridge as a backdrop, President Barack Obama speaks from the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown May 14, 2014. The President spoke about the need for Congress to fund road and bridge improvements across the nation.

With the Tappan Zee Bridge as a backdrop, President Barack Obama speaks from the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown May 14, 2014. The President spoke about the need for Congress to fund road and bridge improvements across the nation.  (Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

He also called out congressional Republicans for blocking funding that would pay for modern highways, bridges and seaports.”We’ve got more than 100,000 bridges that are old enough to qualify for Medicare,” Obama said.Officials have warned that funding in the federal Highway Trust Fund is set to run out by the fall, which would put 112,000 active road and bridge projects and 5,600 transit projects at risk, along with nearly 700,000 jobs.”That’s like the population of Tampa and St. Louis combined,” the president said, citing the jobs figure.

“So far at least Republicans who run this Congress seem to have a different priority,” Obama said. “Rebuilding America — that shouldn’t be a partisan issue.”

Obama emphasized that “there is work to be done.”

“So the bottom line, Tarrytown, is America doesn’t stand still. … So I’m going to keep on fighting alongside all of you to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to rebuild America – not just rebuild one bridge, but I want us to rebuild every bridge. I don’t want us to just rebuild one school, I want us to rebuild every school that needs help.”

 His administration in late 2011 named replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge, which carries 138,000 vehicles a day, a top infrastructure priority. The process moved quickly from there, with environmental reviews fast-tracked and in 2013, the New York State Thruway Authority received a record $1.6 billion federal loan.

Under New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the state approved a process that allows infrastructure project to be designed while construction begins.

Cuomo, who introduced the president, has been praised for reviving the project, which had been stagnating for nearly a decade. It’s now in its second year of construction with completion projected for 2018.

With preparations in place for President Obama’s visit to the TZ Bridge construction site, minority construction workers protest about being shut out of major construction projects. (Video by Joe Larese/ The Journal News)

“We are the state of the bold. We are the state of the daring,” Cuomo said. “We are the state of performance. We are the state of skyscrapers, intricate transit systems. We are the state of public works that challenge the imagination.”

Also in attendance, seated to the back, was Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the Republican who is planning to challenge Cuomo this fall. He criticized the governor before the speech for not discussing the cost of future tolls.

“The public has a right to know before the election,” Astorino said. “They know what it’s going to be. They promised last year we would have answers.”

Astorino accused the governor’s staff of refusing to allow him to sit in the front. Cuomo’s office, however, denied it meddled with the seating chart. An official who attended the speech said Astorino spent more than an hour talking with reporters and that by the time he tried to claim a seat, the choice ones were taken.

But all eyes were on the president who wore a crisp dark suit and dark blue tie against a background of construction equipment and steel piles. Obama joked and shook hands with many of the 250 people who were invited to attend, including elected officials, construction workers and residents.

Chris Junge of Tarrytown brought his two children, Tucker, 8, and Cassie, 6. The family walked from home to the event.

“It was exciting to be that close. It was personal,” Junge said. “It was a long day for them but I think they will remember it.”

Arriving at John F. Kennedy International, Obama flew aboard Marine One to Tarrytown. He traveled by motorcade the short distance to the marina. Less than 30 minutes after he arrived, Obama was back off to New York City to attend two Democratic party fundraisers in the evening.

Reporter Brian Tumulty contributed to this story.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/05/14/obamas-tappan-zee-bridge-speech-set-mid-afternoon/9080115/

Tappan Zee Bridge contracts ensure ‘disadvantaged’ aren’t left out

tjuva@lohud.com11:22 p.m. EDT April 16, 2014

The Tappan Zee Bridge project has been a dream opportunity for small, budding businesses. And companies headed by women and ethnic and racial minorities are getting their own chances to score work on the $3.9 billion bridge replacement project, through a government effort to give a boost to certain groups that have historically been excluded from business opportunities.

The New York State Thruway Authority and bridge builder Tappan Zee Constructors is setting aside $314 million — 10 percent of the bridge construction cost — for companies certified as “disadvantaged business enterprises” by the federal government. Because the federal government is providing a low-interest loan to help pay for the Tappan Zee replacement, it requires that such companies are included. Brian Conybeare, special adviser to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the project, said the project team has made a big effort to ensure those firms are included, “which will help them prosper, grow their businesses and employ more local workers.” So far, 60 certified DBEs have contributed to the project, totaling $49.7 million in subcontracts.

Here are some of their stories.

 From ironworker to business owner, Mike Aponte can still vividly recall his first day as an ironworker nearly 30 years ago. Aponte, now 48, was assigned to get coffee for crews building a high-rise on Wall Street.

“Never been up that high — I was shaking in my boots, but I didn’t show it to the men. That was some experience,” Aponte recalled.After working his way up from an ironworker to a foreman to a project supervisor, seven years ago Aponte became the president of his own steel construction company, Tyrek Heights Erectors Inc., a certified DBE based in Yonkers.”In general there has been the misconception that you can’t find a qualified a DBE — that’s not true,” he said. “There are many that are capable and put out quality work. We are not taking advantage of it. We actually perform. We know what we are doing.”So far, his company has done steel work at the TZC office on the Hudson Harbor property in Tarrytown. The firm has also removed and installed steel at the West Nyack building where the state police and Thruway Authority facilities will be temporarily relocated during bridge construction.

Still, Aponte has his sights set on the new structure”I would love to be part of the team that is going to erect and build the bridge,” he said. “To say one day to my grandkids, ‘I was part of this bridge,’ would be great.”

 

In the business of construction, Mahopac native Leigh Scirbona has never been daunted by working in a male-dominated industry. In her 20s, she began working for a highway construction company, reviewing contracts and handling project documents. For the last 25 years, Scirbona, now 56, has headed her own general contracting and concrete company, Advanced Contracting Concepts. The company has done work for the Walkway Over the Hudson project, Westchester and state parks and the New York State Bridge Authority. “I still have people who call me and say, ‘Honey, let me speak to your boss,’ ” she said. “It is still entertaining when they do that.” Last year, she expanded the company to construction administrative support services and landed work on the Tappan Zee project.  “A little over a year later, I’m on one of the largest design-build projects in the United States and one of the largest projects in New York state,” she said. “It’s been terrific.”

When TZC officials called her last year about finding them an office receptionist, Scirbona quickly responded. Not wanting to lose the chance, she worked the job herself for a week until she found someone permanent for the position. Scirbona has six employees as part of the Tappan Zee team, including the project’s documents control manager and a senior administrative assistant, and she hopes to keep expanding the list.The DBE program is critical to ensure all kinds of business owners are included in major infrastructure projects, she said.

“It doesn’t make us less qualified, less intelligent, less capable,” she said. “Without this program, smaller contractors wouldn’t get looked at.”

 

Husband and wife

Cynthia and John Behan share a business, but Cynthia is the one in charge “She really is the boss,” said her husband, co-owner of Behan Planning and Design, a landscape architecture and project planing firm and certified DBE. “She makes all the financial decisions. She makes all the hiring decisions. My role is now securing new work.” Such as the Tappan Zee project. The Behans’ firm, based in Saratoga Springs with a location in New City, has a subcontract with a public relations group hired by TZC. So far, the Behans’ company has helped organize Tappan Zee community outreach meetings and create public newsletters and presentations.

“To have this project that’s running steady for a while, it’s stabilizing for us,” said Cynthia Behan, 58, a landscape architect who also worked on the New City streetscape revitalization. John Behan, also 58, said his wife’s design knowledge is especially helpful when they are asked to put together presentations. “When we get technical documents from the engineers, she can understand the engineer drawings and help present them to the public,” he said. While their Rockland location only has one employee, the couple hopes more work on the project will allow them to hire a second one later this year.

How is a “disadvantaged business enterprise” defined?

The small company must be 51 percent owned by one or more “socially and economically disadvantaged” individuals, which are women and racial and ethnic minority groups.

Business revenue and the owner’s personal net worth are used to determine whether a company qualifies. Government officials conduct personal interviews, business visits and reviews of license and financial records before a firm is certified.

Source: New York State Thruway/U.S. Department of Transportation

TZB firms by the numbers

A total of 135 companies have worked on the project so far, totaling $432 million in subcontracts.

Of those, 60 are considered DBEs, with those subcontracts totaling $49.7 million.

$314 million has been set aside for DBEs

Source: Tappan Zee Constructors

Tappan Zee viewing areas coming to Nyack, Tarrytown

Memorial Park in Nyack and RiverWalk Park in Tarrytown will offer close vantage points to check out what’s happening on the river or the perfect background for selfies.

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Love it or hate it, construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge is sure to draw huge crowds over the coming months and years.

Not only are two spans going up, but how many of us have had a chance to see a mega-project like this rise before our collective eyes?

While both Rockland and Westchester offer numerous lovely vantage points from their shores, the official go-to viewing sites will be in Nyack’s Memorial Park and RiverWalk Park in Tarrytown. Platforms with binoculars, signs and seating are expected to open sometime this summer.

“People are going to come so we might as well plan for it,” Tarrytown Village Administrator Mike Blau said. Both villages will receive $50,000 through the project’s $20 million community benefits programs, which is equally funded by the state Thruway Authority and Tappan Zee Constructors, the team designing and building the $3.9 billion crossing.

The Tarrytown viewing area will be set up at the end of West Main Street, adjacent to Pierson Park. There’s already a round deck there, surrounded by a stone wall. It can comfortably fit 15 people, Blau said.

At least two binoculars on stands will be in place, along with signs about local history and information about the construction equipment in the water.

“When you see something come out of the river, I think a lot of people will be curious and will want to go look at it,” Blau said.

Both character-rich villages also are in line to cash in from the visitors through 2018, when the project is expected to wrap up.

“We see it as a unique economic opportunity,” Nyack mayor Jen Laird-White said. “The more people that come to look at the bridge, the more they’ll stop in Nyack and eat lunch or have a cocktail or buy something in our stores.”

The village was already planning a major renovation of its fishing pier, with $150,000 already in hand from New York’s state department.

Measuring 90 feet long by 30 feet wide, the current pier, lined with gravel and bordered by large boulders, will be transformed into a destination with a wood surface, decorative lighting, wood rails, fixed and moveable benches and tables and a curved end resembling a boat.

The project still has to be bid and construction could start as early as June, Nyack Village Administrator Jim Politi said.

The mayor said there’s some talk of a having a temporary stop-gap measure until then so people have someplace to look out on the Hudson, especially with the expected arrival of the humongous floating crane known as the Left Coast Lifter during the next several weeks.

“People love to watch things getting built,” Laird-White said.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

Building a New Bridge Video!

Building a New Bridge!

Building a New Bridge!

 

Building a New Bridge

NY Times BY ROOPA VASUDEVAN AND STEPHEN FARRELLMarch 25th, 2014

This video graphic illustrates how a new cable-stayed bridge across the Hudson River north of New York City will replace the 60-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge between Rockland and Westchester Counties.

In Progress: Tappan Zee crews work around the clock to install piles

A short reprieve from bad weather in the last week has finally allowed Tappan Zee Bridge construction crews to resume work on the Hudson River.

LoHud By Theresa Juva-Brown11:26 p.m. EST March 3, 2014

A short reprieve from bad weather in the last week has finally allowed Tappan Zee Bridge construction crews to resume work on the Hudson River.

Not only are they back to work, but crews are toiling away around the clock to install giant steel piles that will help support the new crossing. The pile

s are being installed in two segments and then welded together.

The pile welders, members of the local dockbuilders union, are working six days a week in two 12-hour shifts. As the work progresses, a third shift will be added, with each team of welders working eight-hour shifts six days a week, project leaders say.

Over the next year, leaders have said they hope to have 1,000 piles installed in the river. Crews are currently working on a batch of 90 piles.

In other Tappan Zee Bridge project news this week:

• The project’s 31-member mass transit task force delivered its final report on Friday, after more than a year of meetings. The Thruway Authority formed the panel in 2012 to study and make recommendations for mass transit improvements on Interstate 287.

• The panel has proposed expanding the existing Tappan ZEExpress bus service and a creating a “bus rapid transit” system with seven routes in Westchester and Rockland. The ambitious plan calls for a series of new stations, modern vehicles, and dedicated bus lanes in some places.

• The report did not include cost estimates or specific ways to pay for such a system. Still, top state transportation leaders said they are committed to having the system in place by the time the new Tappan Zee is completed in 2018.

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/03/01/in-progress-tappan-zee-crews-work-around-the-clock-to-install-piles/5927187/

February New NY Bridge Newsletter

newsletter

The New York State Thruway Authority and the New NY Bridge team are proud to present the February issue of the New NY Bridge Newslettera monthly publication designed to keep everyone abreast of the latest news about the project.

 In this issue:

American Made: New York Businesses Benefit From New NY Bridge Project

High Steel Structures, LLC: A Brief Look at One of The Nation’s Pre-Eminent Steel Producer

Reaching the Next Generation: New NY Bridge Project Presents for Science Week

Safety: Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

Please enjoy the February New NY Bridge Newsletter.

 

TZ Task Force Nears Final Meeting

Top Photo

For the past year, the Tappan Zee Bridge Mass Transit Task Force has been
developing recommendations for services on the new bridge.
Times Herald-Record
Published: 2:00 AM – 02/26/14

TARRYTOWN — The Tappan Zee Bridge Mass Transit Task Force will hold its final meeting Friday and release the short-, mid- and long-term recommendations that its 31 members have developed over the past year.

The recommendations, contained in a 26-page executive summary, offer no surprises and no guarantees that any of them will ever be implemented. The summary will be followed next month with a report that details the actions that Rockland and Westchester counties could take to advance the short-term recommendations for new express bus routes as well as estimates of potential costs.

The task force has never identified a source of funding for transit improvements, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s staff has forcefully steered members away from any suggestions with hefty price tags on the grounds that it can’t afford a new bus rapid transit or commuter rail system and a new $3.9 billion bridge.

Recommendations

The Tappan Zee Bridge Mass Transit Task Force will formally present the recommendations that have been developed over the past year Friday. They include:

Short-term (between now and the new bridge’s completion in 2018)

• Modify existing bus service in Rockland and Westchester to create seven express routes between Suffern and Nanuet and Tarrytown, White Plains and Yonkers, and between White Plains and Tarrytown, Port Chester, Valhalla and The Bronx.

• Install technology that manages traffic flow through ramp metering, signal prioritization and queue jumping, as well as a bus-only lane on the new bridge, to improve travel times.

• Use specially designed buses to differentiate the new service from existing services, and adopt a common fare structure.

• Advance studies of a transit hub in White Plains, reconstruction of the Thruway’s Interchange 10 in South Nyack and construction of a new Thruway interchange at Route 59 in Monsey. Mid-term (up to 15 years after the new bridge’s completion)

• Create a White Plains transit hub around the train station.

• Reconstruct Interchange 11.

• Construct a bus station in the Thruway median and a pedestrian bridge from the Palisades Center.

• Make improvements to Rockland train service on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines. Long-term (more than 15 years after the new bridge’s completion)

• Pursue revival of passenger rail service on the now freight-only West Shore line in Rockland.

• Consider development of Rockland-to-Westchester commuter rail or light rail.

“We’re not getting a 21st century bridge if we’re not getting mass transit,” said Nancy Proyect, president of the Orange County Citizens Foundation. “We’re not really doing BRT; we’re doing express buses. It’s not a 21st century solution for a 21st century bridge or a 21st century state.”

Proyect, who has advocated for new transit services in the Tappan Zee corridor over the past decade and attended many of the task force’s meetings, predicted the state and the region will come to regret this failure to fund significant improvements in conjunction with the new bridge’s construction.

Before Gov. Cuomo took office and fast-tracked the TZB’s replacement, the state had been pursuing a true BRT system with dedicated travel lanes and stations across the two counties that buses from Orange County could have used. But Cuomo eliminated transit elements from the project, citing high costs and ample opportunity for adding services in the future to what would be a “transit-ready” bridge.

Rockland and Westchester counties then forced Cuomo to form the task force to keep the prospect of transit improvements alive in exchange for their support of the new bridge.

The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the Tarrytown Senior Center at 240 W. Main St., on the village’s waterfront.

judyrife@gmail.com

 http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140226/BIZ/402260341/-1/NEWSLETTER100

CREWS MOBILIZE FOLLOWING WINTER WEATHER SHUTDOWN; PILE DRIVING RESUMES ON NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT

new

Project Update

For immediate release: February 21, 2014

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) resumed marine operations and pile driving this week as icy conditions cleared in the Hudson River and crews could safely go back to work. Pile driving operations will continue next week and a second shift of workers will be onsite to resume welding on the piles that will become the permanent foundation for the New NY Bridge.

Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

Beginning the week of Feb. 24, crews will conduct nighttime geotechnical investigations on the Westchester approach to the existing bridge, in the vicinity of the toll plaza. Lane closures to support these operations will be in place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., as needed, to minimize disruptions to traffic. This geotechnical investigation will confirm the soil conditions and ultimately allow the team to further streamline the design of the Westchester landings.

Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Feb. 24 Southbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Tuesday Feb. 25 Southbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.
Wednesday Feb. 26 Southbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.
Thursday Feb. 27 Northbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.
Friday Feb. 28 Northbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge, weather permitting. New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) – 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a modified permit for additional temporary mooring locations during construction of the new bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information and the modified mooring permit map can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations:
• Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
• Rockland access ramp modifications
• River Road utility work
• Test pile program
• Permanent pile installation
• Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Survey inspections on existing bridge
• Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
• Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard

WORK PROGRESSES ON RELOCATION OF NEW YORK STATE POLICE AND THRUWAY AUTHORITY TEMPORARY OPERATIONS FACILITIES

 

 

                                              update

For immediate release: February 7, 2014

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will ramp-up facility and site improvements in preparation for the temporary relocation of the New York State Police and New York State Thruway Authority maintenance facilities.

The State Police and Thruway Authority operations will relocate from their current locations on South Broadway in Tarrytown, and Dockside off of River Road in South Nyack, respectively, to the old Journal News building, located off of exit 12 on Route 303 in Clarkstown. TZC is in the process of improving the building and surrounding site in anticipation of temporarily moving the operations early this summer.

Plans for a permanent replacement facility in Tarrytown for both the State Police and the Thruway Authority are currently being designed.The existing facilities need to be removed to make way for construction of the New NY Bridge.

Severe winter weather and icy conditions necessitate suspension of TZC’s marine operations. Work will resume on the river once temperatures rise and icy conditions allow for safe operations. During the suspension, TZC will maintain a safety crew that will monitor the weather’s impact on the site, reassessing conditions daily. Operations continue on both shore lines and include the creation of the hundreds of steel pipe piles and steel reinforcement materials for the bridge’s foundations.
Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Feb. 10 Northbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday Feb. 11 Southbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Feb. 12 Southbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday Feb. 13 Northbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday Feb. 14 Northbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge, weather permitting. Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) — 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a modified permit for additional temporary mooring locations during construction of the new bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information and the modified mooring permit map can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations (weather permitting):

• Rockland access ramp modifications
• Armoring of dredge channel
• River Road utility work
• Test pile program
• Permanent pile installation
• Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Survey inspections on existing bridge
• Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
• Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard

 

###

NYS Thruway Authority & The New NY Bridge Present January Newsletter

The New York State Thruway Authority and the New NY Bridge team are proud to present the January issue of the New NY Bridge Newsletter, a monthly publication designed to keep everyone abreast of the latest news about the project.In this issue:

  • I Lift NY Super Crane Completes 6,000-Mile Journey to New York
  • Mass Transit Task Force 2014 – Keeping an Eye on the Future
  • New NY Bridge Project Team Completes Winter Food Drive
  • TZC Holds Monthly Business Meeting to Connect with Small Businesses

http://www.newnybridge.com/documents/publications/2014/monthly-newsletter-jan.pdf

Photo: The New York State Thruway Authority and the New NY Bridge team are proud to present the January issue of the New NY Bridge Newsletter, a monthly publication designed to keep everyone abreast of the latest news about the project.</p>
<p>In this issue:<br />
I Lift NY Super Crane Completes 6,000-Mile Journey to New York<br />
Mass Transit Task Force 2014 - Keeping an Eye on the Future<br />
New NY Bridge Project Team Completes Winter Food Drive<br />
TZC Holds Monthly Business Meeting to Connect with Small Businesses<br />
http://www.newnybridge.com/documents/publications/2014/monthly-newsletter-jan.pdf

Port Expected in Newburgh NY

By James Walshbilde (1)
Times Herald-Record
Published: 2:00 AM – 01/31/14

CITY OF NEWBURGH — A riverfront company aims to build a port on the Hudson from which it can transport decking for the new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Officials of Steelways Inc. and the city will join federal and state officials Friday morning to announce the effort, which Steelways spokeswoman Susan Sullivan said could bring 150 jobs over three years.

Mayor Judy Kennedy and Councilwoman Genie Abrams declined to discuss details of the plan in advance of Friday’s announcement, though both spoke glowingly — in general terms, anyway — of its potential. Among the expected attendees are Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, state Sen. William Larkin, R-C-Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Assemblyman Frank Skartados, D-Milton.

“This project has such potential,” Kennedy said. “It can truly change the economics of Newburgh.: Abrams said: “It will be very good news for the people of Newburgh, the kind of news we haven’t heard in 50 years.”

Sullivan said the company will bid on Friday to supply precast concrete decking for the new Tappan Zee Bridge. The contract will likely be awarded within a few weeks. Steelways can begin work on the port in April and complete the project by late summer. The company’s website says its 60 waterfront acres already include a shipyard with three sheltered harbors.

It has concrete marine launchways capable of accommodating vessels up to 300 feet long and 125 feet wide, and a marine railway capable of hauling 500-ton vessels. The main shipping channel runs adjacent to Steelways’ main pier, according to the site.

A resolution adopted Monday by the City Council expressed its “conceptual support of the Port of Newburgh project,” saying it will boost Newburgh’s economy by creating high-paying jobs and providing job-training opportunities for city residents.

Thomas Wright, a co-owner of Atlas Industries, a furniture designer and maker in the city, said who gets the potential jobs is important. “Jobs are great, but where do the people eat and live?” Wright said. “Are they people from Middletown driving to a parking lot, or people in Newburgh walking from their home in the city?”

Newburgh was once such a busy port that it had its own U.S. Customs office. Sailing ships were built at the waterfront in the 18th century. Navy ships were docked in Newburgh for repairs and reconstruction during World War II, said Mary McTamaney, the city’s historian. The Newburgh waterfront was where farmers brought their produce for shipping to New York City and beyond. “We were a transportation city,” McTamaney said. “We brought the goods of Orange County and the region to market, mostly downriver.”

jwalsh@th-record.com

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140131/NEWS/401310366

Tappan Zee Crane Arrives by Boat

NY Times BY STEPHEN FARRELL January 30th, 2014

TAPPENZEE2-articleLarge

A huge crane arrived in New York Harbor Thursday, after a 6,000-mile ocean journey from San Francisco. It will be used to build the new Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson River.

Watch Video here:  http://www.nytimes.com/video/nyregion/100000002680602/tappan-zee-crane-arrives-by-boat.html?smid=pl-share

 

Some property information provided by CoStar, Loopnet, HGAR, Yelp, Rand Commercial Services and other public sources.