For immediate release: January 17, 2014

I LIFT NY SUPER CRANE COMPLETES TRANSIT THROUGH PANAMA CANAL,
CONTINUES JOURNEY TOWARD NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT SITE

The I Lift NY super crane’s journey to the New NY Bridge project began on Dec. 22 and continues as the floating crane completed its transit through the Panama Canal on Jan. 17. Updated information about the journey, including photos and video, will be available at NewNYBridge.com.

The recently nicknamed I Lift NY super crane is owned by Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) and is officially registered with the U.S. Coast Guard as the Left Coast Lifter.

TZC resumed operations this week after severe winter weather and icy conditions required the suspension of work on the river for one week for safety purposes. Foundation construction of the New NY Bridge will continue beginning Monday, as weather permits, with the ongoing installation of permanent piles.

The northbound, right-hand lane and shoulder of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) near exit 10 in Nyack will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, through Thursday, Jan. 23, to allow for work on the northbound access ramp.  The same lanes will be closed on Friday, Jan. 24 from 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. 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. 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. 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 can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations:

• 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