Project scope
Which parts of the deck will be replaced?  What about the remaining sections of the bridge?
Under this contract, the Authority 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. Under previous contracts, the Authority has already replaced approximately 22 percent of the deck, including the deck of east deck truss spans.

Will this project widen the bridge or add new capacity?
The redecking project will not add any additional travel lanes or increase the capacity of the bridge; the overall width will remain the same.
 
Has the Authority considered making one of the travel lanes an HOV lane as part of this project?
An HOV lane is 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 will 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.  Projected completion is projected to be October 2009.

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

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

Cost
Is this the largest maintenance project in the history of the bridge?
The redecking project is the largest maintenance project that the Authority has undertaken for the Tappan Zee Bridge.

How will the Authority pay for this construction?
The redecking project is included in the Authority’s on-going multi-year Capital Plan.

Construction impacts
How many lanes will be closed during construction?
Generally three lanes will be closed during the overnight construction; however, two lanes in each direction will remain open at all times.

Will noise be 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 will notify residents prior to construction and will do its best to ensure that the Contractor completes the work as quickly as possible. Most of the major construction work during the Spring of 2008, will be on portions of the bridge further away from the shore, and the noise disruptions should be minimized.

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.

Will this project have an impact on the river or commercial shipping?
While the Authority does not anticipate any negative impact to the Hudson River, it has been and will continue to work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.

How will material be delivered and where will construction staging occur?
Materials will be trucked in at night and some short-term staging will occur at Interchange 14 (Spring Valley).  If needed, Interchange 10 (Nyack) will also be 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 is the Authority taking to ensure the safety of motorists using the bridge?
The Authority will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the safety of all motorists. The deck replacement project will take 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 will change the drainage system to force the water flow away from the structural steel.

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

• The project Website will be updated frequently (www.nysthruway.gov). 
• Information will be 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, will be sent to the media and other interested parties.  Interested parties should contact Scott Giering at sgiering@hshassoc.com or (917) 339-0488. 
• The Authority will use 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.  Will that be the same now?
For prolonged delays, southbound motorists may be diverted onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway, but commercial vehicles may be diverted onto I-287 southbound at Interchange 15, except for local deliveries.  The Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) will be activated north of Newburgh so that motorists can choose to take the Newburgh Beacon Bridge, if they so desire.  The Authority will also activate DMS on Route 17 eastbound.

Similarly, northbound motorists will have the opportunity to seek alternate routes; the Authority will place DMS at strategic locations.

Environmental Review
Is this project part of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Environmental Review?
The deck replacement project is part of the Authority’s ongoing responsibility to maintain and operate the Tappan Zee Bridge; it is not part of the Tappan Zee Bridge/ I-287 Environmental Review.  The redecking project will not impact decisions that may be made to replace or rehabilitate the bridge as part of the 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 are you doing all of this work now?
The deck replacement project is 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.