Rockland County is on high alert as the New York State Thruway Authority has announced extended lane closures on the northbound stretch of the Thruway (I-87/I-287), starting from Friday night through the weekend, to facilitate urgent bridge deck repairs. Commuters are urged to plan ahead and consider alternative routes to avoid expected delays.
The closures will span from exit 14A, leading to the New Jersey – Garden State Parkway, to exit 14B, which connects to Airmont – Montebello – Airmont Road. Starting 9 PM Friday, two out of three northbound lanes will be shut down, with the expectation that one lane will remain closed throughout the weekend, possibly extending into Monday night’s commute.
The repair work is centered around a deteriorated concrete deck on the bridge over Saddle River Road in Monsey, necessitating the removal and replacement of the affected portion. Although the goal is to reopen all lanes by Monday morning, the required concrete curing process could extend the single-lane closure, impacting both morning and evening travel.
Motorists traveling through the area will be directed by flaggers, and Variable Message Signs have been deployed to advise drivers to avoid the affected segment of the Thruway. In anticipation of the disruption, the Thruway Authority is also preparing for southbound lane closures the following weekend for additional bridge repairs.
The authority has reminded motorists to abide by the work zone speed limits, emphasizing that penalties, including license suspension for multiple speeding violations, have been doubled in accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005.
To stay informed, drivers are encouraged to download the Thruway Authority’s mobile app for real-time traffic updates and navigation assistance. Additionally, the Traveler Map and TRANSalert emails are available as resources for the latest traffic conditions on the Thruway.