The New NY Bridge Newsletter for January 2017

January 5, 2017 by
January 2017
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Governor Cuomo Announces Milestone:
Completion Of Eight Main Span Towers
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the New NY Bridge has reached a major milestone with the topping off of the eight main span towers. The New NY Bridge is on track to open in 2018 and on budget at $3.98 billion.

A New Bridge for the New Year:

The project team is looking forward to another year of progress on the twin-span replacement of the original Tappan Zee Bridge, including the completion of the westbound span.

Smooth Ride:

Motorists on the Tappan Zee Bridge may be familiar with the rhythmic bumps in the existing bridge’s roadway. These interruptions are the result of nearly 200 expansion joints, which are designed to absorb the slight expansion and contraction of the bridge’s steel and concrete. Drivers can expect a much smoother ride in the future thanks to the dramatic reduction of expansion joints on the new bridge.

Season of Giving:

The New NY Bridge project team is supporting local charities to make the holidays a little more joyous for those in need in our communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
How will the project reduce traffic congestion? 
A:
The existing bridge has only seven lanes, some of which are narrower than the current standard lane width of 12 feet. The new bridge will have eight, 12-foot-wide lanes and wider shoulders. The shoulders of the new crossing will greatly reduce the traffic impact of disabled vehicles and accidents, which can cause massive tie-ups on the existing bridge. The incline approaching the main span will not be as steep, allowing large trucks to maintain consistent speed and reduce engine and braking noise. The ability of trucks to maintain highway speed will also reduce speed differential with passenger vehicles which lessens lane changes and potential for accidents. There will also be gently banked curves to further smooth traffic flow and reduce accidents. In addition, the new bridge is being built with space to accommodate dedicated bus lanes. In April 2016, cashless tolling went into effect on the existing bridge, and this will be a feature of the new bridge, eliminating the need for eastbound drivers to slow down or stop and idle at a toll plaza.

Get Your E-ZPass ® 

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 New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
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Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Call the Project Hotline
1-855-TZBRIDGE
(1-855-892-7434)
Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm


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©2017 New York State Thruway Authority
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The New NY Bridge Newsletter November 2016

December 5, 2016 by
December 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Night Shift:
Working Around the Clock to Reach New Heights
The new bridge’s iconic main span towers are nearing completion thanks to the around-the-clock efforts of the hard-working men and women of Tappan Zee Constructors.
South Nyack Residents Get First Look at Shared-Use Path:

Following South Nyack’s overwhelming endorsement of “Alternative F” in March, the New NY Bridge project team has been working with Mayor Bonnie Christian and the village’s Tappan Zee Bridge task force on the design of the Rockland end of the shared-use path.
Building a Smart Bridge:

Tappan Zee Constructors recently installed the first of 18 overhead gantries, which will be equipped with enhanced technology to help keep traffic moving safely and efficiently on the new bridge.
Saluting Those Who Served:

The New NY Bridge project is standing united this Veterans Day to honor all those who have served in the U.S. military.  Veterans are among the thousands of skilled individuals who have made possible the remarkable progress taking place on the Hudson River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Why does the current Tappan Zee Bridge need to be replaced?        
A:
The Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge opened to traffic in 1955 and is a vital artery for residents, commuters, travelers and commercial traffic. The bridge, which was designed to carry up to 100,000 vehicles per day, currently handles an average of 140,000 vehicles daily, and traffic congestion and delays are regular occurrences. Heavy traffic, narrow lanes and the lack of emergency shoulders often contribute to congestion and frustration for motorists. As a result, the bridge has twice the average accident rate per mile as the rest of the 570-mile Thruway system. In recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to maintain and repair the bridge. If the current bridge were not being replaced, the Thruway Authority would need to spend an additional $3 billion to $4 billion over the next 20 years to ensure its structural integrity.
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

New NY Bridge October Newsletter

October 11, 2016 by
October 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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High Points:
Aerial Views of Tower Progress
Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) is one step closer to completing the twin-span crossing as the new bridge’s westbound towers reach their ultimate height, 419 feet above the Hudson River. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the upper sections of the towers and removing the blue jump forms when the operations are complete. TZC is scheduled to complete all four westbound towers within the coming weeks.

Raising the Road:

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

Building in Safety:

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

Building the Sound Barrier:

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

First Channel Closure:

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

September 2016 New NY Bridge Monthly Newsletter

August 31, 2016 by
September 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Sky-High Sights:
New Photos Show Construction From Above
The latest batch of aerial photography showcases the New NY Bridge project advancing across the Hudson River. The approaches in Westchester and Rockland continue to take shape with prefabricated road deck panels and enormous steel girder assemblies, installed by the I Lift NY super crane. At the main span, stay cables have begun to connect the burgeoning roadway to the four northern span towers, which each have reached nearly 400 feet in height.
The New NY Bridge project has become a symbol for what the state can accomplish. Watch the new twin-span crossing take shape during the past three years in this new time-lapse video. From steel girders to concrete towers, from piles to road deck, from shoreline to shoreline, the transformation has been amazing.

Rising to the Top:

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

Crucial Calculations:

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

Video Captures the New NY Bridge Progress!

August 29, 2016 by

Three Years in Two Minutes

New Video Captures Construction Progress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Project Update: STAY CABLE INSTALLATION CONTINUES

August 5, 2016 by
TZ

For immediate release: August 4, 2016

STAY CABLE INSTALLATION CONTINUES
Work Progresses on Main Span

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

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

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

Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) in South Nyack next week. The work includes constructing noise barrier foundations and excavating soil along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. After the foundations are established, concrete panels that form the noise barriers will be installed. The barriers will be treated with sound-absorbing material to further reduce traffic noise in the nearby community.

TZC also will continue constructing foundation walls for the future highway and shared-use path along the northbound Thruway in South Nyack. The operation is scheduled to continue in the coming months.

Additional work includes:

  • Main span tower construction
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Rockland landing retaining walls
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Utility work at the Westchester landings
  • Girder assembly placement
  • Bridge road deck installation
  • Drainage structure installations
  • Maintenance facility construction in Tarrytown
  • Soil boring in South Nyack

Boater Safety
Marine units are continuing patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. The U.S. Coast Guard also has established a safety zone encompassing all navigable waters within a 200-yard radius of the largest machine on the project, the I Lift NY super crane, legally registered with the U.S. Coast Guard as the Left Coast Lifter.

In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. The Eastern RNA will be extremely active and vessels transitioning to and from the eastern shoreline at Tarrytown should approach and depart to the north. The Western RNA will be impassable at times and mariners should stay clear of the area.

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

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

Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed on the existing bridge to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are lit per U.S. Coast Guard permit requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment. All mariners should consult the latest USCG Local Notice to Mariners before transiting this area.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners and construction site map can be found at NewNYBridge.com/Boater. The page includes an interactive GPS map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River, detailing which vessels are stopped and which are in motion to a new location, for recreational and commercial boaters to get current information on the very active construction zone. The vessel tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

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

###

New NY Bridge Project, 303 South Broadway, Suite 413, Tarrytown, NY 10591
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Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

New NY Bridge Project August 2016 Newsletter

August 5, 2016 by
August 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
  |    Home   |    Archives
Shaping Up:
Aerial Photos Capture Project Progress
The outline of the new twin-span crossing is emerging this summer as the project continues to make remarkable progress on the Hudson River. The Rockland and Westchester approaches continue to grow with rows of steel girders and hundreds of precast road deck panels. At the main span towers, crews are also installing sections of steel and roadway, and preparing the area for the new stay cable system.

Stay Cable Installation Begins:

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

Reaching New Heights:

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

“Front Row Seat” to Progress:

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

“On-the-Go”at the

 New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

TZ Bridge Tour _ Rand Commercial Day of Learning 7.18.2016

July 19, 2016 by

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

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

Continues Cashless Tolling System Now In Effect

May 6, 2016 by

The new NY bridge

Tarrytown Toll Plaza Demolition ContinuesCashless Tolling System Now In Effect

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

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

LANE CLOSURES NEAR THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE

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

Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the Thruway in South Nyack next week. The work includes constructing noise barrier foundations and excavating soil along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. After the foundations are established, concrete panels that form the noise barriers will be installed. The barriers will be treated with sound-absorbing material to further reduce traffic noise to the nearby community.

TZC also will continue constructing foundation walls for the future highway and shared-use path along the northbound Thruway in South Nyack. The operation is scheduled to continue in the coming months.

Additional work includes:

  • Main span tower construction
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Rockland landing retaining walls
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work
  • Girder assembly placement
  • Bridge road deck installation
  • Drainage structure installations

Boater Safety
Marine units are continuing patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of 5 knots and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. TZC will also be working in the area left and right of the main navigation channel under the main span of the bridge. TZC will begin working in the main navigation channel, which will result in partial or total closure of same. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed on the existing bridge to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are lit per U.S. Coast Guard permit requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment. All Mariners should consult the latest USCG Local Notice to Mariners before transiting this area.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. The page includes an interactive GPS map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River, detailing which vessels are stopped and which are in motion to a new location for recreational and commercial boaters to get current information on the very active construction zone. The vessel tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

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

Tarrytown Toll Plaza Demolition Continues Cashless Tolling System Now In Effect

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

TARRYTOWN TOLL PLAZA DEMOLITION CONTINUES

May 5, 2016 by

update

For immediate release: May 5, 2016

TARRYTOWN TOLL PLAZA DEMOLITION CONTINUES
Cashless Tolling System Now In Effect

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

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

Lane Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

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

Noise Barrier Construction
TZC will continue constructing noise barriers along the Thruway in South Nyack next week. The work includes constructing noise barrier foundations and excavating soil along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road. After the foundations are established, concrete panels that form the noise barriers will be installed. The barriers will be treated with sound-absorbing material to further reduce traffic noise to the nearby community.

TZC also will continue constructing foundation walls for the future highway and shared-use path along the northbound Thruway in South Nyack. The operation is scheduled to continue in the coming months.

Additional work includes:

  • Main span tower construction
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle
  • Rockland landing retaining walls
  • Survey inspections on the existing bridge
  • Westchester landings utility work
  • Girder assembly placement
  • Bridge road deck installation
  • Drainage structure installations

Boater Safety
Marine units are continuing patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of 5 knots and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

Mariners also should be aware that TZC will continue work in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. TZC will also be working in the area left and right of the main navigation channel under the main span of the bridge. TZC will begin working in the main navigation channel, which will result in partial or total closure of same. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed on the existing bridge to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Permanent elements of the new bridge are lit per U.S. Coast Guard permit requirements, as are all moorings, barges and other equipment. All Mariners should consult the latest USCG Local Notice to Mariners before transiting this area.

More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. The page includes an interactive GPS map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River, detailing which vessels are stopped and which are in motion to a new location for recreational and commercial boaters to get current information on the very active construction zone. The vessel tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.

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

 

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

May 2016 New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter

April 28, 2016 by
May 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Name That Bird!:
New Tappan Zee Falcon Hatchling Debuted on April 10
The pair of peregrine falcons that live in a man-made nest box on the existing Tappan Zee Bridge became proud parents once again with the hatching of a nestling on April 10.
The New NY Bridge project team is inviting members of the public to help name the new falcon chick.
A week-long naming contest is now underway on the project’s Falcon Cam webpage. Rockland and Westchester students came up with the names.

Life in the Fast Lane:

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

Across the Zee:

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

Pier to Pier:

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

Steely Progress:

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

“On-the-Go”at the

 New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the
New NY Bridge Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email upd
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

NEW NY BRIDGE APRIL 2016 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

March 29, 2016 by
April 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Tower Crossbeam Slideshow:
Final Crossbeam Installed on the Main Span
The new bridge moved another giant step forward this month as Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) installed the fourth and final concrete crossbeam on the main span. In addition to supporting the future road deck, the massive precast beams will reinforce the outward-angled towers as they grow to their ultimate 419-foot height.

Open Houses Held on Shared-Use Path Parking & Connections:

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

Standing Down for Safety:

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

Supporting STEM:

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

“On-the-Go”at the

 New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
View the latest issues of the
New NY Bridge Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Follow Us on Twitter
and Instagram 
Call the Project Hotline
1-855-TZBRIDGE
(1-855-892-7434)
Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

Visit the Project Website
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Memorial Park, Nyack, NY
©2016 New York State Thruway Authority
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter_March

March 17, 2016 by
VIEW AS WEBPAGE

March 2016
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
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Public Hearings Announced:
Comments Welcome on Shared-Use Path Parking and Connections
Residents and other interested stakeholders are invited to attend Public Hearings to comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Shared-Use Path Parking Facilities and Bicycle/Pedestrian Connections in the Villages of South Nyack and Tarrytown.

Maintaining the Future:

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

Building Bridges:

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

A Towering Milestone:

After months of steady progress on the main span towers, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has begun installing enormous concrete crossbeams between the iconic towers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Will the bridge look exactly like the artist’s rendering that have been made public?   
A:
Yes, overall the general design of the bridge will look similar to the artist rendering but it is subject to refinement as part of the design-build process. A Visual Quality Panel has been established to gather and consider public input and make recommendations on such characteristics as surface finishes, colors, lighting design, landscaping, and the shared-use bike and pedestrian path.
Get Your E-ZPass® “On-the-Go”at the New NY Bridge Community Outreach Centers
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New NY Bridge Quarterly Magazine
Visit NewNYBridge.com to subscribe for periodic email updates
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Call the Project Hotline
1-855-TZBRIDGE
(1-855-892-7434)
Westchester: 2 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Rockland: 142 Main Street, Nyack, NY
Mon-Fri: 11am-7pm | Sat-Sun: 11am-4pm

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Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, Tarrytown, NY
Memorial Park, Nyack, NY
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Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

PROJECT UPDATE – WESTCHESTER GIRDER INSTALLATION

November 20, 2015 by

update

For immediate release: Nov. 19, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ramp Closures Near the Tappan Zee Bridge

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

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

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

Installation of Noise Barriers in South Nyack
Next week will see continued removal of the noise walls located along the northbound Thruway and the construction of foundations for noise barriers along the southbound Thruway between the South Broadway bridge and River Road in South Nyack. The work involves drilling holes into the soil to install the foundations. After the foundations are installed, concrete panels that form the noise barriers will be installed. The barriers will be treated with sound-absorbing material to further reduce traffic noise to the nearby community.

Additional work includes:

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

Boater Safety
Westchester and Rockland Marine Units are continuing extensive patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of 5 knots and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

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

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

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

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

The New NY Bridge November 2015 Newsletter

October 29, 2015 by
November 2015
New NY Bridge Project Monthly Newsletter
Forward   |    Home   |    Archives 
A View from Above:
Latest Aerial Photos Showcase Both Horizontal and Vertical Progress
As more and more piers are connected by steel-blue girder assemblies, the New NY Bridge project’s iconic towers continue to advance skyward.

Pushing Ahead:

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

[Video] Bridging the Tracks:

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

A Pier with a View:

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

[Video] Moving Steel:

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

NYS Thruway Lane Closures for Jan 28-29,2015

January 25, 2015 by

For immediate release: January 23, 2015 

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

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

Bridge Abutment Work Continues

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

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

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

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

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

Boater Safety
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of 5 knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

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

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

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

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

Holiday Travel this week on the TZ Bridge

December 20, 2014 by

The new NY bridge

For immediate release: December 19, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional work includes:

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

Boater Safety
The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of 5 knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

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

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

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

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

Tappan Zee Bridge Fall Quarterly Magazine

November 28, 2014 by

In this issue:

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

 

fall-quarterly-magazine Page 002

 

Read Complete Newsletter here:

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

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

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

August 12, 2014 by

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

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

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

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

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

 

1407530944000-sh080714police10 1407457197006-sh080714police07

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

PROJECT UPDATE FOR BOATERS

August 12, 2014 by

update

NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT ESTABLISHES SAFE CHANNEL FOR PIERMONT BOATERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

The U.S. Coast Guard has established a Safety Zone surrounding 16 construction barge mooring locations at the project site. No unauthorized vessels are allowed in the Safety Zone. In addition, marine law enforcement will be enforcing the rules of the expanded Regulated Navigation Areas (RNAs) east and west of the Safety Zone. The RNAs stretch 500 yards north and 500 yards south of the existing bridge. Boaters are urged to transit the main channel with no wake at a maximum speed of five knots, and to use extreme caution on the river at all times.

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

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

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

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

Ongoing Operations:

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

Support for river-based work from the Rockland trestle

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

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

July 29, 2014 by
Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com 12:13 a.m. EDT July 29, 2014
1406317305000-TZ-Tarrytown-Viewing-Platform-1JPG

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

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

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

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

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

Nyack

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tarrytown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is no mention of tolls.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

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

Tappan Zee Bridge path critic teams with South Nyack

July 5, 2014 by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @ksaeed1

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

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

Tappan Zee project: State troopers set up shop in Rockland

July 5, 2014 by
LoHud; Khurram Saeed, ksaeed@lohud.com11:13 p.m. EDT July 4, 2014

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @ksaeed1

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

Tappan Zee could be pathway to tourism in Rockland

July 3, 2014 by

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

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

1402940492000-nnyb-rend-15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @ksaeed1

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

Obama, at Tappan Zee Bridge, pushes transportation funding

May 15, 2014 by

The president will seek to rally support for more federal dollars for highway and bridge improvements.

TARRYTOWN – With the new Tappan Zee Bridge taking shape behind him, President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged Congress to inject billions of dollars in the nation’s transportation infrastructure to keep Americans working and encourage businesses to stay.

During his first visit to Westchester as president, Obama praised the progress on the new $3.9 billion crossing, which is replacing the 58-year-old crumbling structure.

“It carries a lot more traffic than when it was built back in 1955,” Obama said under sunny skies at Sunset Cove, a restaurant at the Washington Irving Boat Club. “At times, you can see the river through the cracks in the pavement. Now, I’m not an engineer, but I figure that’s not good.”

Highlights from President Obama’s speech on the country’s infrastructure at near the Tappan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown. (Video by Peter Carr/The Journal News)

He noted the new Tappan Zee will be the first new bridge in New York in 50 years and announced the federal government plans to apply the same “fast track” process to 11 other infrastructure projects, including Boston’s South Station and light rail around Seattle.

“Normally it would have taken three to five years to permit this bridge,” Obama said during his 10-minute speech. “We did it in a year and a half.”

With the Tappan Zee Bridge as a backdrop, President Barack Obama speaks from the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown May 14, 2014. The President spoke about the need for Congress to fund road and bridge improvements across the nation.

With the Tappan Zee Bridge as a backdrop, President Barack Obama speaks from the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown May 14, 2014. The President spoke about the need for Congress to fund road and bridge improvements across the nation.  (Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

He also called out congressional Republicans for blocking funding that would pay for modern highways, bridges and seaports.”We’ve got more than 100,000 bridges that are old enough to qualify for Medicare,” Obama said.Officials have warned that funding in the federal Highway Trust Fund is set to run out by the fall, which would put 112,000 active road and bridge projects and 5,600 transit projects at risk, along with nearly 700,000 jobs.”That’s like the population of Tampa and St. Louis combined,” the president said, citing the jobs figure.

“So far at least Republicans who run this Congress seem to have a different priority,” Obama said. “Rebuilding America — that shouldn’t be a partisan issue.”

Obama emphasized that “there is work to be done.”

“So the bottom line, Tarrytown, is America doesn’t stand still. … So I’m going to keep on fighting alongside all of you to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to rebuild America – not just rebuild one bridge, but I want us to rebuild every bridge. I don’t want us to just rebuild one school, I want us to rebuild every school that needs help.”

 His administration in late 2011 named replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge, which carries 138,000 vehicles a day, a top infrastructure priority. The process moved quickly from there, with environmental reviews fast-tracked and in 2013, the New York State Thruway Authority received a record $1.6 billion federal loan.

Under New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the state approved a process that allows infrastructure project to be designed while construction begins.

Cuomo, who introduced the president, has been praised for reviving the project, which had been stagnating for nearly a decade. It’s now in its second year of construction with completion projected for 2018.

With preparations in place for President Obama’s visit to the TZ Bridge construction site, minority construction workers protest about being shut out of major construction projects. (Video by Joe Larese/ The Journal News)

“We are the state of the bold. We are the state of the daring,” Cuomo said. “We are the state of performance. We are the state of skyscrapers, intricate transit systems. We are the state of public works that challenge the imagination.”

Also in attendance, seated to the back, was Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the Republican who is planning to challenge Cuomo this fall. He criticized the governor before the speech for not discussing the cost of future tolls.

“The public has a right to know before the election,” Astorino said. “They know what it’s going to be. They promised last year we would have answers.”

Astorino accused the governor’s staff of refusing to allow him to sit in the front. Cuomo’s office, however, denied it meddled with the seating chart. An official who attended the speech said Astorino spent more than an hour talking with reporters and that by the time he tried to claim a seat, the choice ones were taken.

But all eyes were on the president who wore a crisp dark suit and dark blue tie against a background of construction equipment and steel piles. Obama joked and shook hands with many of the 250 people who were invited to attend, including elected officials, construction workers and residents.

Chris Junge of Tarrytown brought his two children, Tucker, 8, and Cassie, 6. The family walked from home to the event.

“It was exciting to be that close. It was personal,” Junge said. “It was a long day for them but I think they will remember it.”

Arriving at John F. Kennedy International, Obama flew aboard Marine One to Tarrytown. He traveled by motorcade the short distance to the marina. Less than 30 minutes after he arrived, Obama was back off to New York City to attend two Democratic party fundraisers in the evening.

Reporter Brian Tumulty contributed to this story.

Twitter: @ksaeed1

http://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/tappan-zee-bridge/2014/05/14/obamas-tappan-zee-bridge-speech-set-mid-afternoon/9080115/

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

CREWS MOBILIZE FOLLOWING WINTER WEATHER SHUTDOWN; PILE DRIVING RESUMES ON NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT

February 21, 2014 by

new

Project Update

For immediate release: February 21, 2014

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) resumed marine operations and pile driving this week as icy conditions cleared in the Hudson River and crews could safely go back to work. Pile driving operations will continue next week and a second shift of workers will be onsite to resume welding on the piles that will become the permanent foundation for the New NY Bridge.

Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

Beginning the week of Feb. 24, crews will conduct nighttime geotechnical investigations on the Westchester approach to the existing bridge, in the vicinity of the toll plaza. Lane closures to support these operations will be in place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., as needed, to minimize disruptions to traffic. This geotechnical investigation will confirm the soil conditions and ultimately allow the team to further streamline the design of the Westchester landings.

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

Monday Feb. 24 Southbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Tuesday Feb. 25 Southbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.
Wednesday Feb. 26 Southbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.
Thursday Feb. 27 Northbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.
Friday Feb. 28 Northbound, Right Lane Near Toll Plaza 8  p.m. to 5 a.m.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge, weather permitting. New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) – 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a modified permit for additional temporary mooring locations during construction of the new bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information and the modified mooring permit map can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations:
• Permanent pile installation, including pile driving between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays
• Rockland access ramp modifications
• River Road utility work
• Test pile program
• Permanent pile installation
• Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Survey inspections on existing bridge
• Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
• Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

WORK PROGRESSES ON RELOCATION OF NEW YORK STATE POLICE AND THRUWAY AUTHORITY TEMPORARY OPERATIONS FACILITIES

February 8, 2014 by

 

 

                                              update

For immediate release: February 7, 2014

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will ramp-up facility and site improvements in preparation for the temporary relocation of the New York State Police and New York State Thruway Authority maintenance facilities.

The State Police and Thruway Authority operations will relocate from their current locations on South Broadway in Tarrytown, and Dockside off of River Road in South Nyack, respectively, to the old Journal News building, located off of exit 12 on Route 303 in Clarkstown. TZC is in the process of improving the building and surrounding site in anticipation of temporarily moving the operations early this summer.

Plans for a permanent replacement facility in Tarrytown for both the State Police and the Thruway Authority are currently being designed.The existing facilities need to be removed to make way for construction of the New NY Bridge.

Severe winter weather and icy conditions necessitate suspension of TZC’s marine operations. Work will resume on the river once temperatures rise and icy conditions allow for safe operations. During the suspension, TZC will maintain a safety crew that will monitor the weather’s impact on the site, reassessing conditions daily. Operations continue on both shore lines and include the creation of the hundreds of steel pipe piles and steel reinforcement materials for the bridge’s foundations.
Lane Closures for New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287):

Monday Feb. 10 Northbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday Feb. 11 Southbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday Feb. 12 Southbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday Feb. 13 Northbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday Feb. 14 Northbound, Right Lane Near Exit 10 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge, weather permitting. Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Additional temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) — 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a modified permit for additional temporary mooring locations during construction of the new bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information and the modified mooring permit map can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations (weather permitting):

• Rockland access ramp modifications
• Armoring of dredge channel
• River Road utility work
• Test pile program
• Permanent pile installation
• Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Survey inspections on existing bridge
• Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
• Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard

 

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

NYS Thruway Authority & The New NY Bridge Present January Newsletter

January 31, 2014 by
The New York State Thruway Authority and the New NY Bridge team are proud to present the January issue of the New NY Bridge Newsletter, a monthly publication designed to keep everyone abreast of the latest news about the project.In this issue:

  • I Lift NY Super Crane Completes 6,000-Mile Journey to New York
  • Mass Transit Task Force 2014 – Keeping an Eye on the Future
  • New NY Bridge Project Team Completes Winter Food Drive
  • TZC Holds Monthly Business Meeting to Connect with Small Businesses

http://www.newnybridge.com/documents/publications/2014/monthly-newsletter-jan.pdf

Photo: The New York State Thruway Authority and the New NY Bridge team are proud to present the January issue of the New NY Bridge Newsletter, a monthly publication designed to keep everyone abreast of the latest news about the project.</p> <p>In this issue:<br /> I Lift NY Super Crane Completes 6,000-Mile Journey to New York<br /> Mass Transit Task Force 2014 - Keeping an Eye on the Future<br /> New NY Bridge Project Team Completes Winter Food Drive<br /> TZC Holds Monthly Business Meeting to Connect with Small Businesses<br /> http://www.newnybridge.com/documents/publications/2014/monthly-newsletter-jan.pdf
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , ,

Super Crane Clears the Panama Canal

January 20, 2014 by

bilde

For immediate release: January 17, 2014

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

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

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

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

The northbound, right-hand lane and shoulder of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) near exit 10 in Nyack will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, through Thursday, Jan. 23, to allow for work on the northbound access ramp.  The same lanes will be closed on Friday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will continue installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) – 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information can be found on the project website at NewNYBridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations:

  • Rockland access ramp modifications
  • Armoring of dredge channel
  • River Road utility work
  • Test pile program
  • Permanent pile installation
  • Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Survey inspections on existing bridge
  • Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
  • Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard
Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , , ,

GIANT FLOATING CRANE PREPARES FOR PASSAGE THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL, EN ROUTE TO NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT

January 12, 2014 by

bilde

The new NY bridge

For immediate release: January 10, 2014

GIANT FLOATING CRANE PREPARES FOR PASSAGE THROUGH THE PANAMA CANAL, EN ROUTE TO NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT

The journey that began late last month for one of the world’s largest floating cranes continues as it prepares to pass through the Panama Canal this weekend.

The crane, known as the Left Coast Lifter, is expected to begin its passage through the Panama Canal as soon as Saturday, Jan. 11, and updated information on its journey will be available at NewNYBridge.com. It departed from Oakland, California, on Dec. 22, escorted by tug boats, and is expected to arrive in New York at the end of the January.

A fourth construction camera is now live and is also available on the project website. The public can stay up-to-date on the progress of the New NY Bridge project with views from this camera, which captures construction as viewed from Tarrytown, as well as through those already live from Rockland County, Westchester County and on the bridge. An interactive archive calendar also allows viewers to take a look back at progress already made.

As weather permits, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will continue construction of the foundation of the New NY Bridge with ongoing installation of permanent piles. TZC plans to begin full production again on Monday, Jan. 13, assuming temperatures rise and ice clears the river.

On Monday, Jan. 13 and Tuesday, Jan. 14, the southbound, right-hand lane and shoulder of the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) near exit 10 in Nyack will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16, the northbound, right-hand lane and shoulder of the Thruway (I-87/I-287) near exit 10 in Nyack will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to allow for work on the northbound maintenance ramp.

Mariners should be aware that TZC will be installing permanent piles in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge. Pile driving will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and occasionally between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturdays. New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600-foot navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) – 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes. The Coast Guard boating safety information can be found on the project website at NewNYbridge.com under the “Boater Safety” icon.

Ongoing Operations:

• Rockland access ramp modifications
• Armoring of dredge channel
• River Road utility work
• Test pile program
• Permanent pile installation
• Temporary Rockland trestle construction, including pile driving on weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Survey inspections on existing bridge
• Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline
• Reinforcement steel pre-assembly at bridge yard

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

Feds Will Loan Up to $1.6 Billion for TZ Bridge Construction

November 1, 2013 by

A Big Loan  for a Big Project

New City Patch, Posted by  (Editor) , 
patch
Photo credit: Carlos Gonzalez
Photo credit: Carlos Gonzalez

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved a loan of up to $1.6 billion through its Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program for construction of a new Tappan Zee Bridge.

The loan is the largest ever in the history of the TIFIA program.

The Secretary’s approval comes after the DOT’s Credit Council met this morning to review the loan application, said Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D, Westchester-Rockland).

Yesterday, Lowey wrote a letter urging the DOT to expedite consideration of the TIFIA application. It can be viewed here.

“This is a huge milestone for the construction of a New Tappan Zee Bridge, a critical link in our region’s infrastructure system and lifeline for commuters and businesses,” she said in a statement. “I am excited that the DOT has approved the largest ever TIFIA loan for a transportation project and that the work on a new bridge can continue to move forward.”

Actual construction started last week. Patch has that and all the TZB news on our dedicated page.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “”Approval of New York State’s request for this loan is great news for the tens of thousands of commuters who depend on the Tappan Zee every day, for communities in the Lower Hudson Valley, and for our entire state.

“This is a huge win for New York State, creating thousands of jobs, and an endorsement of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in our history. It shows that despite over a decade of delay, New York can continue to build big,” Cuomo said.

Plans for a new bridge to replace the Tappan Zee were first discussed in 1999, and over the next 11 years, $88 million in taxpayer dollars was spent, 430 meetings were held, 150 concepts were considered, according to the governor’s office.

State Assemblyman David Buchwald said, “Today’s announcement is a victory for all New Yorkers. It reaffirms our progress on building the new Tappan Zee Bridge that is essential for our region’s economic vitality. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership through each phase of this important project.”

Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman of the Rockland County Legislature, said the new bridge would be an important addition to the nation’s transportation network.

“Governor Cuomo has made this project a signature issue, and the federal government recognized its significance by granting the largest TIFIA loan in history,” Cornell said. “This bridge will provide economic development, thousands of jobs during construction, access to the entire Northeast and will be a magnificent sight spanning the Hudson River. This is wonderful news.”

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino also congratulated the governor; but, he pointed out there are still financial issues to be dealt with.

“I congratulate Governor Cuomo on this good news. The next step is how do we finance the rest of the bridge and the mass transit improvements to and from the bridge, while keeping tolls as low as possible,” Astorino said. “The governor has my full support to help the state come up with the best financing plans possible.”

http://newcity.patch.com/groups/transportation/p/feds-will-loan-up-to-16-billion-for-tz-bridge-construction-newcity?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001&evar4=picks-1-post&newsRef=true

 

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

Bridge Construction Continues

September 28, 2013 by

new

For immediate release: September 27, 2013

NEW NY BRIDGE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES CONTINUE

Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC will continue the construction of the Rockland County trestle.
This work will include daytime pile driving to install the temporary foundation piles needed to support the platform. Pile driving will be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and, occasionally, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. The trestle is a work platform that will support a crane for the construction of the westernmost section of the new bridge. The 1200-foot long platform helps reduce the amount of dredging required.

Impact pile driving will also continue as part of the ongoing test pile program and will continue through October at various locations for future pile foundations during the same timeframe as above.

>From Tuesday, October 1 to Thursday, October 3, one northbound right hand lane and shoulder on I-87/I-287 between exit 9 and the Tappan Zee Bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility location testing. One northbound right hand lane and shoulder on I-87/I-287 in the vicinity of exit 10 will be closed on Wednesday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for catch basin repair.

Additionally, utility work will continue on River Road in South Nyack. This work will continue through November and will involve reducing the roadway to one lane during daytime hours. During non-work hours, the road will have temporary coverings in place that may create uneven driving surfaces. Motorists and bicyclists should slow down and use extreme caution in the area.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a revised Notice to Mariners with updated safety information, including the establishment of a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) 300 yards north and 200 yards south of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. All boaters are required to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area.

If necessary, the Coast Guard in the future may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes.

The Coast Guard boating safety information can be found on the project website, NewNYBridge.com, under the boating safety icon.

Ongoing operations:
•Dredging operations will continue 24/7
•Test pile program
•Rockland Dock Extension under existing bridge
•Temporary Rockland trestle construction including pile driving on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
•Temporary Westchester trestle construction including pile driving on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
•Survey inspections on existing bridge
•Support for river-based work from the Rockland shoreline

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

Tappan Zee Bridge project: Sound barrier plans trouble neighbors

May 9, 2013 by

Lohud May 9, 2013  Written by   Theresa Juva-Brown and Khurram Saeed

The New Tappan Zee Bridge

Tarrytown residents worry they will be bothered by work trucks.

Residents are finally getting details on how their neighborhoods will be protected during construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, but not everyone is convinced those measures will be enough.

In the tiny Tarrytown neighborhood of Irving, which sits next to the current bridge’s toll plaza, homeowners have asked the state for permanent sound barriers and assurances that long lines of trucks won’t rumble through their neighborhood. At a meeting with Tappan Zee Constructors and the state last week, homeowners learned a temporary wooden wall — not a concrete barrier — will be put up near Hudson Place, said Tori Weisel, president of the Irving Neighborhood Preservation Association. Several homes on Hudson Place sit next to a Thruway Authority maintenance road that will be used during the project.

Officials also said the Thruway’s dirt road will be covered with gravel. Residents are worried that won’t absorb truck vibrations as well as a hard surface, Weisel said.

It’s also still unclear how many trucks will use Van Wart Avenue to access Thruway property.

“It’s less about the construction and more about these trucks going by,” she said.

Residents were satisfied, however, to hear that the project team will conduct preconstruction surveys of properties on request. The surveys will document property conditions in case there is a later claim of damage. Homeowners on Tappan Landing Road in Tarrytown are also being offered the surveys.

In South Nyack, concerns remain about the location of devices that will track noise, dust and vibration levels.

Tappan Zee Constructors has proposed installing four devices in Rockland. Two would be in South Nyack at Salisbury Point Co-Operative and either at Elizabeth Park or South Nyack Village Hall but more may be needed, said South Nyack Mayor Bonnie Christian. The builder has proposed putting a monitor in Grand View and at Interchage 12 in West Nyack but will explore additional locations, state officials said.

The village also wants a written commitment that electronic tolling equipment set to go up on the Thruway in South Nyack will be removed after the new bridge is completed in 2018. Christian wants it added to the Thruway’s agreement with Tappan Zee Constructors.

Project officials said that the final environmental study has been changed to reflect the temporary toll location and that the permanent toll plaza will return to Tarrytown. The Federal Highway Administration recently approved the change, they said Wednesday.

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

Are you a business looking to secure work related to the New NY Bridge project?

April 23, 2013 by

New City Patch; April 23, 201

By Krista Madsen

http://newcity.patch.com/articles/tappan-zee-bridge-business-to-business-forums-f6ab42a7?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001

The New York State Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Constructors, New York State Department of Labor and the New NY Works Program will provide information for businesses wanting to learn about contract opportunities related to the new Tappan Zee Bridge project 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern.

Representatives of Tappan Zee Constructors, the NYS Dept. of Labor and Brian Coneybeare, special advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the project, will be among those making presentations.

To register for this event, visit:
http://www.labor.ny.gov/careerservices/new-ny-bridge.shtm

There will also be an event 2:30 p.m. today (April 23, 2013) at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.

Filed Under: Governor Cuomo, Tappan Zee Bridge Tagged With: , , , ,
Some property information provided by CoStar, Loopnet, HGAR, Yelp, Rand Commercial Services and other public sources.