Here’s the latest from the Thruway Authority on the replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge deck:

ALBANY, NY (06/30/2008; 0923)(readMedia)—The New York State Thruway Authority announced today that deck replacement work on the Tappan Zee Bridge will continue next week. This project is part of the Authority’s on-going commitment to continue to fulfill its responsibility to maintain and operate the bridge by continuing to make the necessary investments to assure safe and efficient travel for the thousands of motorists that cross the bridge daily.

The deck replacement project will replace approximately 40 percent of the entire deck, focusing on the two right outside lanes in each direction from the Rockland County shore through the main span.

Work for the week of June 30 will consist of the following:

Installation of New Deck Panels. This operation is weather-dependent and subject to change. Updates will be issued announcing any change in schedule. Lane closures during this operation:

Monday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 2
Work will begin at 8 p.m. resulting in the closure of two right southbound lanes, with an additional right northbound lane closing at 9 p.m., until 6 a.m. from milepost 17.0 to the East Deck Truss span on the Tappan Zee Bridge. During this operation, the southbound entrance at Interchange 10 will be closed and southbound traffic will be detoured on a posted detour route through Nyack to the entrance to the southbound roadway at Route 59 at Interchange 11. Two left lanes in the northbound direction from Interchange 9 to the East Deck Truss span will also be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as part of this work. These lane closures are for the installation of new deck panels on the Main Span and necessary prep work. All lanes are expected to be open by 6 a.m. the following day.

Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4
No work scheduled in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
For the safety of the public and construction workers, motorists are urged to proceed with caution and obey posted work-zone speed limits. Work will proceed weather-permitting, and schedule updates will be announced as needed.

Traffic updates will be broadcast to motorists via Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) along the highway and by Highway Advisory Radio, 530 AM in the Tappan Zee Bridge corridor, as well as 1610 AM in the Newburgh area.

Motorists may also sign up to receive email and text message traffic updates from the Thruway Authority’s TRANSalert system. Anyone may subscribe to the free service at www.nysthruway.gov/tas .

When complete, the new deck, along with related repairs to the superstructure, lighting, and rail will provide more reliable service, increase safety and add convenience for motorists using this vital east-west corridor.

The Authority has implemented a number of measures to reduce the impact on motorists, preserve traffic flow, shorten the project duration, and reduce on-site noise levels. Much of the work is being completed during off-peak, overnight shifts, generally from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and redecking materials are being manufactured off-site with delivery just in time for installation.

The three-mile Tappan Zee Bridge, located about 13 miles north of New York City, carries the New York State Thruway over the Hudson River, between Rockland and Westchester Counties. The structure serves as a lifeline between New York City and Upstate New York. The bridge carries over 140,000 vehicles every day, with volumes as high as 170,000 vehicles daily. When the bridge opened in 1955, it carried an average of 18,000 vehicles daily.