The New York State Thruway Authority has announced a weekend lane reduction on the North Grand Island Bridge on the Niagara Thruway beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, April 27, through 9 a.m. Sunday, April 29. The work is part of the toll barrier removal process following the transition to cashless tolling at the Grand Island toll plazas in March.
During this time period, all southbound traffic will be shifted to the northbound span, creating a single lane of travel in each direction. Overhead lane designation signals will be used to safely direct traffic over the bridge. Traffic seeking to enter the I-190 south at exit 21 (Niagara Scenic Parkway and Buffalo Avenue) will be detoured northbound to exit 23 (Porter Road-Packard Road) where signs will be posted for motorists to re-enter the I-190 south. Motorists should expect delays during peak travels times, NYSTA reports.
Contractors will be performing pavement removal at the base of the North Grand Island Bridge approaching the southbound Grand Island toll plaza and installing full-depth asphalt pavement for the new mainline alignment.
The weekend lane reduction will reduce the number of disruptions and lane shifts that would otherwise be necessary to safely remove and reconfigure the highway and result in a higher quality, longer lasting roadway.
On March 30, Grand Island became the Thruway Authority's second cashless tolling location, the first in Upstate New York. According to NYSTA, approximately 23.5 million vehicles that travel through the Grand Island toll plazas will benefit from improved traffic flow, reduced accidents and reduced congestion-related emissions.
NYSTA is urging drivers to use caution around the toll plazas during this time, as it will be an active construction zone. The posted speed limit when traveling through the toll plazas will be 20 mph.
All work is weather permitting. A rain date for the closure will be announced if necessary.