Welcome to the New York State Thruway Authority website for the Tappan Zee Bridge Deck Replacement

Image of workers replacing existing
rivets with high-strength bolts on the
Tappan Zee Bridge.

This project is part of the Authority’s ongoing commitment 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.

This website is part of a public information program launched by the Authority to keep the public informed about the progress of the project, along with potential impacts of the deck replacement effort. The Authority will be updating this site frequently to keep the public informed about the progress of this project.  Please visit this site regularly for the most up to date project information.

Information about the project will also 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. Project updates, in addition to weekly construction information, will be sent regularly to the media. 

In April 2009, preparation work began on the deck surface for the installation of new bridge joints on the main span and west deck truss sections of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Once the preparation work is completed, steel plates and asphalt transition ramps will be installed for the joint replacement work on the main span. The transition ramps, covering the entire width of the bridge at each bridge joint location, will consist of approximately 50 feet of asphalt leading up to the steel plates and will gradually thicken until the ramp is flush with the top of the roadway plate(s). It is anticipated the asphalt ramps will provide a smooth transition over the roadway plates thereby minimizing impacts to motorists. Additionally, the ramps are to encourage drivers to continue traveling at reasonable speeds.

The installation will occur at the three bridge joint locations on the main span section of the bridge. This arrangement is scheduled to be in place for several weeks with all plates removed from the main span in September 2009.

View of existing steel superstructure after removal
of existing deck in the west deck truss section of the
Tappan Zee Bridge.

Beginning in April 2009, a similar steel plate and asphalt transition ramp installation will commence across the entire west deck truss section of the bridge, however the actual joint replacement work will occur on the interior three lanes only, as the outside sections of these joints were replaced in 2008. The bridge joints on the west deck truss will be installed in two phases. One phase will replace bridge joints at three locations, and the other phase will replace the bridge joints at the remaining four locations. It is anticipated that each phase will take several weeks to complete with all plates removed from the west deck truss in July 2009.

When the 2008 construction season ended, 1080 of the 1092 deck panels were installed leaving 12 deck panels for installation in 2009.  The completed and remaining areas are depicted in the diagram.  The installation of the 12 remaining deck panels will occur over night during non-peak travel times in conjunction with the installation of the bridge joints.

Although this project is weather sensitive, it is anticipated the redecking project will be completed in September 2009.

• Deck replacement work will be conducted primarily during off-peak, overnight shifts generally from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• The Authority will limit the Contractor’s day work, permitting single lane closures as needed.
• Deck replacement materials will be manufactured off-site, reducing noise on-site and shortening the duration of the project overall.