Sneak Preview: Teens Jumped The Gun On The New TZ Bridge (But You Won't Have To)

NYACK, NY — You don't have to wait much longer to get onto the Mario Cuomo Bridge without having to sneak into the construction site and being chased by cops. Then being arrested due to your YouTube video. You'll be able to drive openly across one part of it after Friday, even though it won't be finished until 2018.

Three young men are accused of trespassing on the construction site over the Hudson River and then posting on YouTube about what they did. Their video got more than 30,000 views, including, apparently, the New York State Police. They were c0llared last week and charged with third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

But soon, law-abiding citizens can check the new bridge out for themselves. The first span opens this week, with an overnight transition for westbound drivers from the Tappan Zee Bridge it's replacing.

The first transition of traffic to the Gov. Mario Cuomo Bridge from the Tappan Zee Bridge is scheduled to occur overnight Aug. 25. Four northbound/westbound lanes of the New York State Thruway will gradually be shifted starting late Friday evening into early Saturday morning to travel across the newly completed span of the Mario Cuomo Bridge.

If you've got a dash cam, please share your first trip over with us! Post a photo in the comments or send video to lanning.taliaferro@patch.com

Speaking of videos, also watch this awesome time-lapse from the New NY Bridge Project:

SEE ALSO:

• 3 Teens Make Video Trespassing On New Bridge, Get Arrested
  
• 1st Transition To The Mario Cuomo From The TZB Is Next Week