Albany, NY - November 21, 2016 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that temporary lane closures associated with road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will not be permitted from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23 to 6 a.m. on Monday, November 28, in order to accommodate motorists during the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.
"Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year and we are committed to doing everything in our power to ease congestion and inconvenience to drivers during this holiday weekend," Governor Cuomo said. "By putting Drivers First and reducing lane closures and the traffic and delays that come with them, millions of travelers will be able to get where they need to go quicker and with less aggravation."
Ensuring that more lanes remain open is in keeping with Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First program, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.
During this busy travel weekend, motorists are reminded of New York’s critically important "Move Over" law, which requires drivers to use due care, slow down and safely move over when they see flashing lights on the side of the road.
AAA predicts that nearly 49 million people will travel more than 50 miles from home from Wednesday through Sunday, and more than 89 percent of those travelers will be driving. That number is up an estimated two percent over last year and is the highest number of expected Thanksgiving travelers since 2007.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll said, "Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and while for many that involves travel, it does not have to involve congestion caused by road construction. We encourage all travelers to check 511NY before departing and join with Governor Cuomo in wishing all New Yorkers a Happy Thanksgiving."
Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Bill Finch said, "Holidays are often a busy time of the year, especially for those traveling to visit friends and loved ones. The Thruway Authority is proud to participate once again in Governor Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative to ensure that the Thruway is one of the most efficient and reliable ways for drivers to reach their destinations."
There will be slight variations for certain Thruway projects based on previous traffic volume. A detailed schedule of Thruway lane closures throughout the holiday weekend is available online.
The Wednesday preceding and the Sunday following Thanksgiving are typically two of the busiest days on the Thruway system, with the heaviest travel periods between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on those days. The Thruway is prepared to handle the additional traffic volume. Thruway travelers are encouraged to sign-up for TRANSalerts to receive real-time traffic alerts or follow @ThruwayTraffic on Twitter.
Travelers are encouraged to check 511NY by calling 511 or by accessing www.511ny.org before departing. The free service allows users to check road conditions or link to air and transit information.
Mobile users can download the free 511NY mobile app from the iTunes or Google Play stores. The app now features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Users can set a destination prior to departing and receive information on up to three routes.
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