Project News

The New York State Thruway Authority announced that during the week of September 23rd, the newly created ramp linking the Saw Mill River Parkway southbound with Route 119 (eastbound and westbound), will be open to motorists late in the week as Broadway Bridge demolition nears its completion on the Interchange 8 Reconstruction Project.  This is a joint project with the New York State Department of Transportation.

At the Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Plaza:   Toll lane reconstruction will continue Monday, September 23, 2002 through midday, Sunday September 29, 2002 with the closure of toll lane #4.  Toll lane # 5 will also be closed during off-peak hours.  Toll lanes are being reconstructed in succession, right to left across the plaza, with the exception of toll lane #1- to be completed last.  Periodic lane closures and traffic stoppages can be expected.

Stage 2 Project on I-287:

Construction continues on I-287 between Exits 2 and 5, in each direction, that when complete, will add auxiliary travel lanes to aid traffic flow between Exits 3 and 5.  Also included in the project is the replacement of the bridges that carry I-287 over Route 9-A (east of Exit 3).  The two bridges that carry the Sprain Brook Parkway (northbound and southbound), over I-287, will be rehabilitated. Both the Winthrop Avenue Bridge and the Knollwood Road (Route100-A) bridges, over I-287, will be rehabilitated.  Additionally, the ramps from the northbound Sprain Brook Parkway to I-287 eastbound and westbound to the Sprain Brook Parkway will be rehabilitated.

Noise walls and retaining walls will also be built, with the scheduled completion of the project set for November, 2004.

Associated impacts to traffic:

·                    No daytime lane closures in the aforementioned construction zone.

·                    Daily closure of the left lane on the southbound Sprain Brook Parkway, from the Route 100 interchange to I-287.

·                    Occasional traffic stops on the Exit 4 on and off ramps to allow for movement of construction vehicles.

Project History

In March, 2001, The New York State Thruway Authority, in conjunction with the New York State Department of Transportation, launched a 30-month, $187 million dollar project to reconstruct the I-287/87 interchange 8, from the Tappan Zee Bridge toll plaza to the Saw Mill River Parkway on the Cross Westchester Expressway.

MetroPool and I-8

MetroPool, a provider of transportation alternatives in Hudson Valley and Fairfield County , is working closely with the New York State Department of Transportation and continues to provide bi-weekly updates on the project's progress, via MetroPool's website www.metropool.com or the Thruway Authority's website www.about-I8.com. 

BLASTING INFORMATION

Federal regulations require that all traffic be stopped in both directions during rock blasting.  Regularly scheduled blasting takes place Monday to Thursday, with required stoppages up to 20 minutes in both directions along I-287 and I-87 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Actual blast times will be announced on the Thruway Authority’s Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) station 530 AM, and on 1610 AM, Newburgh.

Work will be performed weather permitting. In the event that inclement weather or other factors prevent the work from being performed as scheduled, the work and associated traffic restrictions will be rescheduled for subsequent date(s).

For the safety of the public and construction workers, motorists are urged to proceed with caution and obey the reduced work-zone speed limits posted in these construction areas.

Rock Blasting Continues at the following locations:

I-87 northbound adjacent to Interchange 8.

Adjacent to I-87 northbound, between Meadow Street and Exit 9.

The area between the Interchange 9 exit ramp and I-87 northbound.

Between Exit 9 and the Broadway Bridge.

Rock blasting also continues adjacent to the ramp off Exit 1on I-287 westbound.  During blasting, the ramp leading to route 119 will be closed for extended periods, with a detour to Exit 9 on I-87 for northbound motorists.  Detours have been posted. 

Free E-Mail Alerts from MetroPool

MetroPool is currently offering free, bi-weekly, E-mail alerts on the I-8 project. Log onto www.metropool.com for to find out how to begin receiving these updates at your home or office!

Contact MetroPool

For more information about MetroPool's FREE commuter services, log onto MetroPool's web site at: http://www.metropool.com or call MetroPool toll free at 1-800-FIND-RIDE.  

COMMUTE ALTERNATIVES

At MetroPool, Mobility Matters with: Commuter Choice.  With new tax-free Commuter Choice benefits (known as Deduct-A-Ride in Connecticut), you and your employees can save more when you commute by train, bus, ferry or vanpool.  You save on payroll taxes and your employees can save nearly $300 annually on federal and state income and payroll taxes.  To find out more about this tax-free commute benefit program call MetroPool at 1-800-FIND-RIDE.

MetroPool is a private, non-profit corporation that provides free commuter services with support from the New York State Department of Transportation.