First Channel Closure Under Tappan Zee Bridges Set for Friday

Hudson River boaters beware: The first full closure of the main navigational channel is scheduled to take place from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Cranes, barges and other construction equipment will occupy parts of the channel during this time, officials explained in a construction update.

About 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.

During the closures, boaters are strongly encouraged to avoid the project site, bridge officials said.

Times and dates of the closures will appear in the U.S. Coast Guard’s weekly Notice to Mariners; on the New NY Bridge (NNYB) project’s twitter feed (@NewNYBridge); and broadcast on Marine Radio Channel 22A.

Times and dates of the channel closures are subject to change.

“The project team advises boaters to avoid the construction site altogether while this critical work takes place in and around the navigation channel,” said NNYB Project Director Jamey Barbas. “While some boaters may experience a temporary inconvenience during the channel closures, staying away makes the project site safer for everyone. We thank boaters for their understanding and patience as we continue to build a world-class bridge.”

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Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) will be monitoring the main channel during closure hours and can be contacted via Marine Radio Channel 16 for assistance. Both TZC security personnel off-site and marine units on the water will advise incoming boaters of the closures and direct them appropriately.

TZC is also in ongoing communication with the commercial shipping industry about the channel closures.
“Tappan Zee Constructors is working closely with commercial traffic, tugboat captains, and their associated organizations to ensure that they can transit the river safely as we continue building the new bridge,” said TZC Project Executive Terry Towle.

A complete list of safety measures can also be found at NewNYBridge.com/Boater. The site also includes an interactive map, which utilizes GPS technology to track all TZC vessels and barges.

The New York State Thruway Authority provides this information as a public service. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Nothing in these guidelines shall supersede the actual construction conditions, and regulations set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard.

PHOTO/ New York State Thruway Authority