Opening Of Cuomo Bridge's Second Span Set

TARRYTOWN, NY — The second span — the one that comes from Rockland to Westchester — of the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge will open Saturday. Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement Tuesday at a press tour of the bridge.

"The Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge embodies New York's greatness and shows the world that we're capable of dreaming big and delivering results for the people of this state," Cuomo said. "This iconic, state-of-the-art twin-span structure will improve traffic flow, support the region's economy, and is part of New York's aggressive $100 billion infrastructure plan to sustain growth for generations."

Since last year's initial traffic shift, where all New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) traffic was temporarily shifted from the Tappan Zee Bridge onto the new bridge's westbound span, design-builder Tappan Zee Constructors has been dismantling the old bridge while also constructing the eastbound span.

Cuomo toured the eastbound span Monday with New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll and New NY Bridge Project Director Jamey Barbas. They updated the governor on finishing touches being made to the new span and the on-going dismantling of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Once the second span is open, which will begin overnight Friday, eastbound motorists will have access to four general traffic lanes and emergency shoulders. A dedicated bus lane will open this fall for eastbound traffic. The fully completed project will include shoulders and dedicated bus lanes in each direction, and a bicycle and walking path. Newly released renderings of the path can be viewed here.

Photo caption: Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. Photo credit: Thruway Authority.