Community Corner

Route 9 Ramp to TZB Will Close for Years—Again

This time, it's for the duration, bridge officials said.

On March 10, the entrance ramp to the Tappan Zee Bridge (I-87 northbound/I-287 westbound) from South Broadway in Tarrytown will close to traffic for the duration of the New NY Bridge project.

It's not the first time they've tried this.

The bridge team closed the ramp Dec. 5 but re-opened it Dec. 13 as residents and commuters raged over days of traffic jams on South Broadway, Route 119 and I-287.  They said they would keep it open during the holidays. 

The detour itself was determined not to have caused the traffic; a combination of events—including multiple accidents and a vehicle fire on the Tappan Zee Bridge, snowy weather and emergency repairs on the George Washington Bridge that diverted extra traffic to I-87/I-287—all contributed to those delays, according to the village of Sleepy Hollow website, which also has details on the detour.  

The plan is to use the ramp as a staging/storage area. Meanwhile, workers are expected to level and relocate the Thruway offices themselves and the State Police headquarters housed in the building just adjacent to the ramp. 

“Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) will utilize the area surrounding the ramp for storage and staging,” said a press release from the Thruway back in December. “As a result, this closure will reduce the amount of construction traffic on local roadways.”

Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Drivers will be rerouted to use the so-called Ramp E, which begins by turning right after going .02 miles eastbound up Route 119. Drivers passing the South Broadway ramp should turn into the right-hand “jug handle” to loop around and cross the roadway onto Route 119.

Authorities claimed in December that the closure would not greatly affect regular traffic and is meant to increase safety for both travelers and construction workers. 

Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.



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