Tappan Zee bridge work?

[Goofygirl17]

We are driving from CT to WDW on June 30th. A friend at work mentioned that work is being done on the Tappan Zee Bridge. The only information I can find online is from April and mentions lane closures on weekdays that month.

Does anyone have any more recent information??

Thanks!

 

[kandb]

I don't, but thanks for the info. We are traveling to Westchester county airport in Sept and wonder if we will have issues getting over the bridge.

 

[TomD]

I can't answer your question but have you looked into going 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95. We drove that in April and found it to be a very relaxing drive and there was no traffic.

 

[Goofygirl17]

I can't answer your question but have you looked into going 84 to 81 to 77 to 26 to 95. We drove that in April and found it to be a very relaxing drive and there was no traffic.

Thanks for the suggestion but we're on the shoreline (right on 95) so heading to 84 would take longer- I think. We are going the inland route though so no 95 through Washington etc.

Thanks again

 

[DVC-Don]

They are always trying to keep that bridge from falling into the Hudson. It's one bridge I refuse to cross.

 

[NJRRK]

They are always trying to keep that bridge from falling into the Hudson. It's one bridge I refuse to cross.

The pilings that were driven for the Tappan Zee are wooden, so one of the many problems it has is with ship worms. I also avoid the Tappan Zee, as bad as the traffic is across the GWB I feel safer that way.

 

[capegirl]

They are always trying to keep that bridge from falling into the Hudson. It's one bridge I refuse to cross.

After watching a documentary about this bridge, it's off my list too!
I have no intention of starting, and ending my vacation in the Hudson.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We are in Central CT. (a few blocks from I84) We take the Merritt Parkway to GWB and then down NJTP to 95 and then we hop 295 in MD to avoid the DC loop. We find it a good trip. We also leave at 2am to bypass any rush hour traffic to get to the Autotrain in VA

I did the Tappen Zee my first trip w/ DM--- the tolls along NJ parkway was insane. felt like we stopped every 50 ft to pay a toll!!

 

[deegack]

Yes there will probably still be lanes out. Dh use to work on that bridge before changing jobs. They are behind so expect them to take every available hour for lane closures from now until the end of the job.

The good news is the contract for the new tap bridge should be awarded this summer.

 

[Goofygirl17]

I think I wish I hadn't asked this question!! Scary bridge?

So, since I have no idea how else to go- any advice? We're leaving from the New Haven area of CT and taking the inland route to FL.

Our route is:

95 S
Exit 21 to Tappan Zee bridge/white plains
merge onto 287 west
Exit 15 onto 287
Exit 21B onto 78 west
Merge onto 81 south
Exit 81 merge onto 77 south
keep left at fork- 26 east
Exit 169A onto 95 south

Any suggestions to avoid the bridge? DH said maybe go west to 84 to 287?

Thanks!!

 

[NJRRK]

Stay on I-95, go over the GWB, take I-80 west to I-287 south (exit 42? somewhere in the 40s), then I-78, etc.

 

[NJRRK]

If you decide on I-84 west take it all the way to I-81 south.

 

[ktpc2005]

I believe the CWE and the Tappan Zee are a permanently under construction as they are always doing something to that road.

If you decide to take the GW Bridge at night make sure that there is no construction on the bridge. My wife drove through late at night a few months ago thinking that she could sail right through and it ended up that only one lane on each deck was open with delays going on 1-2 hours to get over the bridge. She got off and had the GPS get her over the tunnel to get across the river.

 

[deegack]

I think I wish I hadn't asked this question!! Scary bridge?

So, since I have no idea how else to go- any advice? We're leaving from the New Haven area of CT and taking the inland route to FL.

Our route is:

95 S
Exit 21 to Tappan Zee bridge/white plains
merge onto 287 west
Exit 15 onto 287
Exit 21B onto 78 west
Merge onto 81 south
Exit 81 merge onto 77 south
keep left at fork- 26 east
Exit 169A onto 95 south

Any suggestions to avoid the bridge? DH said maybe go west to 84 to 287?

Thanks!!

its seriously not that big of a deal unless you hit it when there a multiple lane closures (usually at night). They have replaced most of the deck already. They constantly check the bridge to make sure its safe. If you are really concerned the inner lanes are the strongest.

 

[monorailsilver]

Take the parkway to the GWB. It is a nicer (ie truck free) ride for a bit.

There are a few different ways to get there. My dh likes to take 9A via the hurch to Cross County but my dad did the Hutch to the Cross County to the Deegan to the GWB. 9A is easier route but it has a toll or two.

FYI, I am also shoreline CT, grew up in Fairfield County (Trumbull) but have moved to a town bordering the CT river.

 

[ClearScreen]

We are driving from CT to WDW on June 30th. A friend at work mentioned that work is being done on the Tappan Zee Bridge. The only information I can find online is from April and mentions lane closures on weekdays that month.

Does anyone have any more recent information??

Thanks!

I take the TZB all the time as it is 10 minutes from my house. It's usually fine heading east(from Westchester to Rockland), except for rush hour times. The lane closures are not during peak travel times (usually late at night). The work being done now is mostly prep work in the Hudson River next to the bridge on the North side - not the bridge itself.

The bridge itself has 7 lanes of traffic with a movable barrier that is changed depending on the traffic flow and time of day. It will have 4 east bound lanes for the morning rush and 4 westbound lanes for the evening rush.

The major issue coming east (Rockland to Westchester) is usually later in the day on weekends when the Jersey shore traffic backs up.

Unless it is very late at night or an off time during the day, stay away from the George Washington Bridge unless you want to add an hour to your trip. The approaches are so congested, especially with trucks, that it is a place to avoid. Further, if there is a Yankee games that day, the GW Bridge is an absolute nightmare.

You don't need to avoid the TZB to get to 287 south. Just cross the bridge and stay on the highway which turns into 287 south after the Garden State Parkway exit and into NJ.