All traffic to shift to New TZ by Friday, October 6; Parts of River Rd. in South Nyack to be closed for next month

BY JANIE ROSMAN

Westchester-bound traffic moves to the new bridge’s westbound span tomorrow night a few weeks earlier than planned, weather permitting.

Multiple lanes will be closed, and traffic will be stopped so crews can reconfigure the landings and strip the lanes. Rockland-bound lanes are not affected.

From now until fall 2018, when the eastbound span opens, four opposite-direction lanes will be separated by a concrete barrier. Starting next week, crews will begin removing the Tappan Zee Bridge’s landings so the new eastbound span can be connected to land.

Initial work requires closing part of River Road crossing underneath the span between South Nyack and Grand View for up to four weeks — from October 10 into early November, six days/week — between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Mobile cranes and other equipment will be removing sections of steel and concrete, and noise mitigations will be in place for nearby residents.

Emergency vehicles and first responders will have 24-hour access. Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) and the NYS Thruway Authority are also working closely with Rockland County transportation officials, elected officials, affected school districts, and commercial bus companies that service the area.

Alternate routes for commuter buses have been established. The closed site will be monitored around the clock by project safety personnel to provide temporary access for emergency service vehicles.

Bicyclists are strongly encouraged to avoid the area and may have to wait up 15 minutes on Saturdays and up to an hour on weekdays. There will be access without waiting on Sundays.

All construction activities and schedules are subject to change.