TZB Stable, Lanes Shift To Second MCB Span Tuesday

NYACK, NY — East and southbound traffic on the New York Thruway will shift to the second span of the new bridge across the Hudson River on Tuesday night. Engineers have determined that a section of the old Tappan Zee Bridge that slipped Friday afternoon is stressed but stable.

The opening was postponed from Saturday. Work on the lane shift was underway hours after a ceremony marking the completion of the twin spans. Then workmen for Tappan Zee Constructors who were on the old bridge on the east side of the river heard a loud sound around 5 p.m. Friday.

The Journal News reported that TZC officials used drones to take photos of the section for analysis. The problem is in two joints, they told TJN.

The old bridge structure is now owned by Tappan Zee Constructors. Terry Towle, TZC President and Project Executive, issued a statement:

The safety of the traveling public and our workforce is Tappan Zee Constructors top priority.

After careful evaluation, Tappan Zee Constructors has determined that the old Tappan Zee Bridge east anchor span is damaged but currently stable with certain key components highly stressed. This condition does not threaten the new, twin-span Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which is prepared and ready to receive traffic.

While there remains a possibility of the old bridge east span failing, in the event it does, it will fall within a safety zone that does not affect vessel traffic or the structural integrity of the new eastbound bridge.

With the completion of this initial assessment, we have recommended to the Thruway Authority that traffic can be shifted to the eastbound span of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. As things now stand, the traffic switch has been scheduled for Tuesday evening, weather permitting.

SEE ALSO:

• Cuomos, Clinton Officially Open 2nd Span Of New Bridge
  
• Worries Over TZB Collapse Keeps 2nd New Span From Opening
  
• Cuomo's Rivals Criticize Decision To Open 2nd Bridge Span

Image via New York Thruway Authority webcam