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Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY

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

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

Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, commercial real estate rockland county ny, hudson valley, New NY Bridge Monthly Newsletter, new york state thruway, rand commercial services, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge, The New Tappan Zee Bridge

Tappan Zee Bridge Zipper’s days are numbered

July 23, 2015 by Rand Commercial

“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

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/

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, hudson valley, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, TZ Bridge Zipper

The New NY Bridge July Newsletter

July 2, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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.

Celebrate-and Navigate-Safely:

New NY Bridge Team Reminds Boaters to Use Caution Near the Project Site

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.

Restoring the Reefs:

Oyster Restoration in the Hudson

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.

Third Concrete Batch Plant Arrives:

Production Capacity More than Doubles

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.

[Video] Setting Sail:
First Steel Girders Arrive By Barge

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.

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

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

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

Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, commercial real estate westchester county, hudson valley, Newsletter, randcommercialservices, tappan zee contractors, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, westchester county commercial real estate, westchester county ny

Holiday Traffic Update

July 2, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 States 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.

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 publics 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 projects floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridges road deck.

Crews also will continue working on the bridges 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 Thruways 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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, commercial real estate rockland county ny, construction, new york state thruway, project update, rand commercial services, tappan zee contractors, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, traffic, westchester county commercial real estate

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

June 15, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 projects floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridges road deck.

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 projects environmental compliance team will be on site to monitor noise levels during the operation.

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

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: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, new york state thruway, rand commercial services, rockland county ny, Tappan Zee Bridge, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge, Traffic update, westchester county commercial real estate

June 2015 New NY Bridge Newsletter

June 15, 2015 by Rand Commercial

June 2015

New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

Forward | Home | Archives

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.

Just the Right Light:

Behind the Design of the New Bridge’s Lighting

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.

2015 Annual Public Meetings, Taking Stock:

Project Leaders Review Progress, Look Ahead

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.

Passing a New Milestone:

New Bridge’s First Pier Cap Installed

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.

Boater Safety 2015:
Piermont Channel Changes, Enhanced Marine Patrols

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.

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

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

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

Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, construction, contractor, hudson valley, June 2015 New NY Bridge Newsletter, rand commercial services, rockland county ny, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, TZ Falcon chicks, westchester county ny

TZ Bridge Traffic Update

May 29, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 publics 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.

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.

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 projects environmental compliance team will be on site to monitor noise levels during the operation.

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.

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: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, construction, construction schedule, rand commercial services, Tappan Zee Bridge, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge

TAPPAN ZEE CONSTRUCTORS TAKES EXTENSIVE NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES

May 21, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 projects 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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, noise mitigation, rand commercial services, Tappan Zee Bridge, tappan zee bridge contractors, The New NY Bridge

Help Name the Falcon Chicks!

May 21, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 falconscalled 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: Falcon Baby Chicks, Falcon live webcam, rand commercial services, Tappan Zee Bridge, The New NY Bridge

Relocation of TZ Bridge Bike/Pedestrian Path

May 13, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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. Cuomos 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 villages 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 couldnt be happier, said Mayor Bonnie Christian. Id 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. Todays 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. Im pleased Governor Cuomo and Mayor Christians 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 Governors 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: Bike Path, new ny bridge, PEDESTRIAN PATH, project update, tz bRIDGE

Annual Meeting May 14, 2015

May 8, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: annual meeting, Brian Conybeare, Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, construction schedule, rand commercial services, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge, The New Tappan Zee Bridge

WORK CONTINUES ON TEMPORARY ALL-ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM

May 4, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 publics 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 projects two floating batch plants. Teams also will erect formwork for the cast-in-place pier columns, which eventually will support the new bridges 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.

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 Thruways 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.

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: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, construction schedule, contract, hudson valley, new york state thruway, project update, randcommercialservices, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com

NEW NY Bridge 2015 Annual Public Meetings

May 1, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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: Annual Meetings, Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, contractor, hudson valley, Tappan Zee Bridge, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com

The New NY Bridge Newsletter for May 2015

April 28, 2015 by Rand Commercial

May 2015

New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

Forward | Home | Archives

[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.

Clearing the Air:

Building the New NY Bridge Bigger, Stronger, Greener

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.

Inside Fort Miller:

Upstate Manufacturer Creating New Bridge’s Main Span Deck

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.

[VIDEO]

Time Lapse: Northern Westchester Abutment

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.

Visitors Welcome!:

Project Outreach Centers: One-Stop Shop for Information and Answers

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.

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

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

Remobilizing on the Hudson River

Construction Viewing Platform

Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, hudson valley, new york state thruway, rand commercial services, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, westchester county commercial real estate

SUPER CRANE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES FIRST LIFT ON

April 24, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, construction, hudson valley, project update, randcommercial services, rockland county commercial real estate, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, westchester county commercial real estate

Tappan Zee viewing area in Nyack could open in June

April 22, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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

NYACK – 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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, hudson valley, rand commercial services, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, westchester county commercial real estate

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

April 7, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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 path, parking 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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Bike Path, Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, ny, nyack, rand commercial services, rockland county, Tappan Zee Bridge, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com

The New NY Bridge April 2015 Newsletter

April 1, 2015 by Rand Commercial

April 2015

New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

Forward | Home | Archives

Springing into Action:

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.

A Solid Landing:

Major Progress Where Bridge Meets Land

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.

Girl Scouts Explore Engineering:

‘Smart Cookies’ Learn Bridge Building Basics

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).

Inside Cofferdams:

How Constructors Create Dry Work Areas in the River

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Project Director, and what are his responsibilities?

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

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: Build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, hudson valley, new york state thruway, rockland county, Tappan Zee Bridge, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New NY Bridge, westchester county commercial real estate

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

March 23, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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:

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

Exit onto the exit 8A off-ramp;
At the end of the long ramp, turn right on westbound Route 119/White Plains Road;
Enter westbound I-287, which merges with northbound I-87;
Exit onto the exit 9 off-ramp;
Turn left onto westbound Route 119/White Plains Road; and
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.

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.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: bridge update, rand commercial services, rockland county, Tappan Zee Bridge, Tappan Zee Bridge Project Update, tappan zee contractors, tappanzeebridgeinfo.com, The New Tappan Zee Bridge, Traffic update, TZB, westchester county commercial real estate

March 2015 New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

February 27, 2015 by Rand Commercial

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.”

Virtual First, Actual Second:

Building Digital 3D Models Helps Refine Design and Organize Construction

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.

Tomorrow’s Bridge Builders:

Middle School Students Learn Fundamentals of Engineering

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.

Safe and Secure:

Protecting the Project and Public 24/7/365

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.

Port of Call:

Port of Coeymans Facility Preparing to Assemble Bridge Girders

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “design-build” mean?

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.


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