2 Northbound Lanes Of I-87 To Be Closed Over The Weekend In Rockland

MONSEY, NY — Drivers going north on the New York State Thruway should expect traffic delays in Rockland County at least through this weekend and possibly longer — and the following weekend, closures will be repeated on the other side.

Crews need to fix a deteriorated portion of the concrete deck on the bridge over Saddle River Road in Monsey.

Travel lane closures on northbound I-87/287 between exit 14A (New Jersey – Garden State Parkway) and exit 14B (Airmont - Montebello - Airmont Road) will begin Friday night. during critical repair work.

Delays are expected and motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while this work occurs.

Beginning at about 9 p.m. Friday, only one of three northbound travel lanes will be open to traffic. A second travel lane is anticipated to reopen sometime after 7 a.m. Saturday, as traffic will be shifted into temporary lanes on the left side of the highway, including the shoulder.

Crews will remove the deteriorated portion of bridge deck and pour new concrete over the weekend. The concrete will need to cure and harden to a specific strength, which may take up to 24 hours.

While every effort will be made to have all three northbound lanes open by Monday morning, one travel lane may remain closed, potentially affecting both the morning and evening commutes, Thruway Authority officials said. "In this scenario, we expect that all travel lanes will be available for use early on Tuesday morning."

Flaggers will direct motorists and pedestrians on Saddle River Road during the work.

During work on the northbound side, all three travel lanes in the southbound direction near the construction zone will remain open.

Then, two southbound lanes are scheduled to close the following weekend (Nov. 18-19) to complete additional repairs on the bridge, weather permitting. Only one southbound lane will be available to motorists in the work zone; more details will be provided next week

Variable Message Signs on the Thruway and surrounding highways are advising motorists to avoid the area. Motorists should consider taking alternate routes starting Friday night.

Be alert, follow the posted work zone speed limits and remember that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005 , convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of your drivers license.

The Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map features live traffic cameras. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails, which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.