NYDOT Suspends Lane Closures for Labor Day Weekend

The New York Department of Transportation will make your traveling plans a bit easier by suspending construction-related lane closures for the long Labor Day weekend. Lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York highways is suspended Friday until Tuesday at 6 a.m.

Now, it's not a complete suspension. Most construction projects will be suspended, but some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. There will be slight variations for certain Thruway projects based on previous traffic volume. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available here.

MORE WEEKEND TRAVEL NEWS:

• Metro-North Announces Early Getaway Trains For Labor Day Weekend
• Rockland Changes Transit Schedules For Labor Day Weekend
  

"The State Department of Transportation is proud to once again be part of Governor Cuomo's Drivers First initiative by limiting construction activities so motorists can have more efficient, enjoyable trips during their Labor Day travels," New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Cathy Calhoun said. "We strongly encourage motorists to drive safely and use Text Stops as a safe location for calling, texting or using mobile apps."

Check 511NY by calling 511 or by accessing www.511ny.org before departing. The free service allows users to check road conditions or link to air and transit information.

Also, download the free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.

Remember, New York's Move Over Law requires motorists to drive with care, slow down, and safely move over when approaching law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks, and construction or maintenance vehicles that are stopped along roads across the state. The law was enacted in 2011 to protect emergency responders working along the roadside and was expanded in 2012 to protect road construction crews working along the road.

Text stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops and parking areas along state highways and the New York State Thruway, support the state's efforts to reduce distracted driving. All text stops will remain open, providing a location where drivers can safely and conveniently use their phones and other mobile devices for calling, texting, navigating and accessing mobile apps. Texting while driving is especially dangerous, as it requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel and mind off driving.

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