Project scope
Which parts of the deck have been replaced under this project?  What about the remaining sections of the bridge?
Under this contract, the Authority replaced 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. Under previous contracts, the Authority replaced approximately 22 percent of the deck, primarily the deck of east deck truss spans.

Has this project widened the bridge or added new capacity?
The redecking project did not add any additional travel lanes or increase the capacity of the bridge.
 
Did the Authority consider making one of the travel lanes an HOV lane as part of this project?
An HOV lane was not part of this project.  The Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review is examining this issue, among others.  Please see the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review website at www.tzbsite.com for more information.

Schedule
When did the redecking start and when will it finish?
While work began off-site much earlier, the Authority began physical work on the bridge on September 7, 2007.  It is anticipated that the project will be completed in the Spring of 2010.

During what hours has construction taken place?
The majority of the work has been completed during off-peak, overnight shifts, generally from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Was there work on weekends and holidays?
Work has been primarily conducted from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday. As permitted by the Authority, work has taken place during some weekends from 9 p.m. on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday.  The Authority has used historical traffic figures for each day and season to determine which lane closures were appropriate for different times on different days of the week.

Cost
Was this the largest maintenance project in the history of the bridge?
Yes, this redecking project has been the largest maintenance project that the Authority has undertaken for the Tappan Zee Bridge.

How has the Authority paid for this construction?
This redecking project was programmed in the Authority’s on-going multi-year Capital Plan; the project was funded with toll revenue.

Construction impacts
How many lanes were closed during construction?
Generally, three lanes were closed during the overnight hours for most of the project.

Has noise been a problem?
The Authority has tried to minimize noise impacts by prefabricating the new deck panels off-site.  To minimize and alleviate impacts, the Authority notified residents prior to construction and did its best to ensure that the Contractor completed the work as quickly as possible. Most of the major construction work took place on portions of the bridge further away from the shore, minimizing noise disruptions.

Has the Authority used this prefabricated construction technique before?
The Authority successfully used prefabricated materials for work on the causeway spans in 1996 and 1997, and the east deck truss in 1998 - 2001.

Has this project had an impact on the river or commercial shipping?
Throughout this project, the Authority worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.

How was material delivered and where did construction staging occur?
Materials were trucked in at night and some short-term staging occurred at Interchange 15 A (Sloatsburg tandem area) and Interchange 14 (Spring Valley).  Interchange 10 (Nyack) was also used as a northbound staging area.

Safety
Is the bridge safe? What problems exist on the bridge?
Absolutely the Tappan Zee Bridge is safe.  While recent inspections and increased emergency maintenance repairs indicate that the structural deck and fascia structural steel on the western portion of the bridge have deteriorated, the Tappan Zee Bridge is safe.  The New York State Thruway Authority follows a very stringent and thorough Bridge Inspection Program, as mandated by current Federal and State guidelines, and will continue to do so.   Every two years, the Tappan Zee Bridge undergoes an inspection.  In addition, interim inspections are conducted on the Tappan Zee Bridge to ensure that the bridge is maintained and operated safely and efficiently.

What precautions has the Authority taken to ensure the safety of motorists using the bridge?
The Authority has always taken whatever steps are necessary to ensure the safety of all motorists. The deck replacement project has taken place primarily overnight, when the volume of traffic is lower.

Bridge deck
How long will the new deck last?
The new deck is expected to last between 40 and 50 years.

How does the new drainage system differ from the old?
As part of the original design, the existing deck has an open drainage system that allows water to flow over the structural steel.  Under this contract, the Authority changed the drainage system to force the water flow away from the structural steel.

Information
How has the Authority notified people about the project?
The Authority has initiated a public outreach program for this project.  Throughout the project the Authority has utilized the following methods to keep the public informed:

• The project Website has been updated frequently (www.nysthruway.gov). 
• Information has been broadcast 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.
• Project updates, in addition to weekly construction information, have been sent to the media and other interested parties. 
• The Authority has used the TRANSalert system to provide subscribers with unscheduled delays and traffic information.   To sign up for the free email and text-messages visit www.nysthruway.gov/tas.
• For further information go to the Authority's contact us page.

What is the Diversion Plan?
In cooperation with the local authorities, the Thruway Authority developed a Diversion Plan for prolonged incidents requiring all travel lanes to be closed.  The Plan lists the alternate routes that can be used and details how local authorities can assist if Tappan Zee Bridge traffic needs to be diverted to the George Washington, Newburgh-Beacon, or Bear Mountain bridges. 

In the past, when there has been an incident on the bridge, traffic has been diverted as far back as the Palisades.  How has the Diversion Plan helped motorists?
For prolonged delays, southbound motorists would have been diverted onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway, but commercial vehicles would have been diverted onto I-287 southbound at Interchange 15, except for local deliveries.  The Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) were activated north of Newburgh so that motorists could choose to take the Newburgh Beacon Bridge, if they so desired.  The Authority also activated DMS on Route 17 eastbound.

Similarly, northbound motorists would have had the opportunity to seek alternate routes; the Authority placed DMS at strategic locations.

Environmental Review
Was this project part of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Environmental Review?
The deck replacement project has been part of the Authority’s ongoing responsibility to maintain and operate the Tappan Zee Bridge; it was not part of the Tappan Zee Bridge/ I-287 Environmental Review.  For more information about the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Environmental Review, please visit the project website at www.tzbsite.com.

If there’s a chance you’ll need to build a new bridge, why do all of this work now?
The deck replacement project has been deemed a necessary interim measure to ensure safe, reliable service to the traveling public. Whatever the outcome of the Environmental Review, implementation of the preferred alternative will not be completed for at least eight to ten years.