Work Closing SB I-87 Includes Replacing Bridge Girder Severed By Truck

NYACK, NY — The massive project to repair the South Broadway bridge over the New York State Thruway, which will close I-87/287 southbound for about 16 hours starting at midnight, includes replacing two of the overpass's eight girders.

Here are details about the repairs:

• A portion of the concrete bridge deck and the two damaged girders will be removed during the operation.
• Each girder is 102 feet long and weighs approximately 25 tons.
• Both girders were bent and twisted by the over-height truck strike last week, and one was severed. There are eight girders in total that support the bridge.
• Crews will install temporary support columns under the damaged girders during the operation.
• The road deck on the South Broadway overpass will be removed before the girders.
• Crews will place a layer of cushion material on the roadway to protect it from debris when the road deck and steel are removed. Cranes will not be used as a part of the operation.
• They will also install temporary concrete barriers and fencing on the South Broadway overpass.
• The overpass is expected to reopen to alternating traffic early next week.

The work will take place rain or shine.

The southbound lanes of the Thruway from exit 12 in West Nyack to exit 9 in Tarrytown, including the bridge over the Tappan Zee, will fully shut down to traffic.

The northbound side of the Thruway will remain open throughout the work, though the left lane near the work zone will be closed.

All southbound lanes south of exit 12 (West Nyack - NY Route 303 - Palisades Center Drive) and over the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge will be closed after 12:01 a.m. Saturday, and are not expected to fully reopen until later that afternoon or early evening depending on the operation.

A Thruway Authority spokesperson told Patch that the popular walking/cycling path will remain open during its normal hours while the working ongoing.

Motorists are strongly advised to avoid the area beginning Friday evening and take alternate routes on Saturday.

Here’s what to expect starting Friday night:

• At 8 p.m. Friday, one southbound lane near exit 10 (Nyack - South Nyack - US Route 9W) will be closed, leaving three travel lanes.
• At 11 p.m. Friday, three southbound lanes near exit 10 will be closed, leaving only one travel lane open. Traffic delays will be significant.
• After 11 p.m. Friday, the entrance ramps to the southbound Thruway at exits 10, 11 (Nyack), 12 and 13 (Palisades Interstate Parkway) will begin to close.
• After 12:01 a.m. Saturday, all southbound lanes will be closed and all traffic will be diverted to exit 12 in West Nyack.
• All day Saturday – work will continue on the overpass and highway below followed by the cleanup.
• Travel lanes will open as soon as safely possible.