Archives for May 2015

TZ Bridge Traffic Update

May 29, 2015 by

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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , ,

TAPPAN ZEE CONSTRUCTORS TAKES EXTENSIVE NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES

May 21, 2015 by

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

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , ,

Help Name the Falcon Chicks!

May 21, 2015 by

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.

 

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , ,

Relocation of TZ Bridge Bike/Pedestrian Path

May 13, 2015 by

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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , ,

Annual Meeting May 14, 2015

May 8, 2015 by

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

WORK CONTINUES ON TEMPORARY ALL-ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM

May 4, 2015 by

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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

NEW NY Bridge 2015 Annual Public Meetings

May 1, 2015 by

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
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , ,
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