Thruway Authority Schedules Removal Of Rest Of Damaged Overpass

MID-HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The New York State Thruway Authority will complete the removal of a bridge that goes over Interstate 87 in the town of New Paltz.

The agency announced Wednesday that the southbound lanes of the Thruway from exit 18 in New Paltz to exit 17 in Newburgh will fully shut down to all traffic at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Lanes will be closed for at least 12 hours so contractors can safely remove the damaged Brookside Road overpass over the southbound lanes, weather permitting.

The section of the overpass above the northbound lanes was removed this past weekend.

SEE ALSO: Thruway Authority Reschedules Bridge Removal On I-87

Motorists should seeks alternate routes while this work takes place or avoid travel in the area during these times, if at all possible.

To limit impacts to Thruway motorists, the work is scheduled to take place on Saturday night into Sunday morning when traffic volumes are at their lowest.

The southbound Thruway is expected to reopen Sunday morning with traffic reduced from two travel lanes to one travel lane through the construction zone.

All southbound traffic will be detoured at exit 18 in New Paltz. The detour between the exits for traffic traveling southbound is 24 miles on local roads. Motorists can follow the posted detour to eastbound Route 299 for 5 miles when they will turn right onto Route 9W south. After approximately 16 miles, vehicles will turn right onto Route 32 north, then turn left to enter I-84 west and should follow the signs to I-84 exit 36A enter the southbound Thruway at interchange 17 (Newburgh - Scranton - I-84 - NY Routes 17K and 300).

Motorists should expect reduced speeds on Routes 299 and 9W and may encounter heavy delays.

Detour signs will be posted every 2 to 3 miles along the detour.

Variable message signs on the Thruway and surrounding highways will advise motorists of the upcoming work, beginning Wednesday.