News from New York State Thruway Authority

For more information contact: Public Affairs, 518-436-2983

Thruway Travelers Reminded to Drive Safely During Upcoming Fourth of July Holiday

Travelers Encouraged To Sign Up For Free TRANSalerts Before the Holiday Weekend

ALBANY, NY (07/02/2008; 0956)(readMedia)-- The New York State Thruway Authority reminds motorists preparing to travel during the upcoming Independence Day holiday to obey the rules of the road and follow safety tips.

"As in previous years, the Authority expects many motorists will take an extended weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, leading to increased traffic volumes on the Thruway," said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. "To accommodate the heavy traffic over the long holiday weekend, the Thruway Authority is removing lane restrictions wherever possible to help alleviate congestion for motorists."

The Authority offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway. The TRANSalert system provides subscribers with a specific location of events with mileposts indicating the range affected by the incident, in addition to which roadway is being impacted so that customers receive more targeted information enabling them to better plan their trips on the Thruway. Since its inception in August of 2006, more than 5,300 subscribers have signed up to receive TRANSalert notifications.

For the most up-to-date information about incidents affecting travel on the Thruway, sign up for the TRANSalert service; visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

In 2007, more than 4.14 million vehicles traveled more than 134.46 million miles on the Thruway System over the Fourth of July holiday (Friday-Tuesday).

"As always, motorists are reminded to drive with caution and wear their seatbelts. The Authority advises travelers to allow for extra travel time to reach their destinations safely," said Fleischer. "Motorists are also encouraged to sign up to receive TRANSalerts for information on unscheduled incidents that may impact travel and to tune into the Highway Advisory Radio for additional traffic and weather updates."

Holiday traffic may be heaviest at the Lackawanna and Williamsville toll barriers near Buffalo; at Albany Interchanges 23 and 24; at the Canaan toll barrier and Interchange B1 on the Berkshire section of I-90, which connects the Thruway to the Massachusetts Turnpike; at Newburgh Interchange 17, Harriman Interchange 16, and at the Woodbury, New Rochelle and Tappan Zee Bridge toll barriers near New York City.

The busiest section of Thruway will most likely be the Tappan Zee Bridge Corridor (Rockland and Westchester counties), particularly northbound at the beginning of the holiday weekend, and southbound at the close.

The Thruway Authority will again be taking the following steps during the holiday weekend to facilitate traffic and keep motorists informed:

• Suspend Construction: Where possible, the Thruway will suspend construction requiring temporary lane closures during the following dates and times:

New York Division (between Interchanges 1-18) will suspend construction from noon on Thursday, July 3, through 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7.

Albany Division (between Interchanges 19-29) will suspend construction from noon on Thursday, July 3 through noon on Monday, July 7.

Syracuse Division (between Interchanges 29A-44) will suspend construction from noon on Thursday, June 26, through 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.

Buffalo Division (between Interchanges 45-61) will suspend construction from noon on Thursday, July, 3 through to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7.

• Provide Traveler Information: Should major delays occur, motorists will be advised through electronic Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) along the roadway, TRANSalerts and through the Thruway's Highway Advisory Radio. These radio stations broadcast traffic advisories, road conditions, weather reports and safety tips to travelers 24 hours a day. Motorists can listen to the traffic information by tuning their vehicle radios to the following frequencies: New York City and Tappan Zee Bridge Corridor - 530 AM; Newburgh, Kingston, Albany, Rochester and Buffalo areas- 1610 AM; LaFayette, Syracuse, Geneva and Waterloo areas - 1620 AM; Utica area- 540 AM; and in the Ripley area 98.7 FM.

• Monitor Traffic Incidents: In addition to Troop T and maintenance patrols, the Authority will monitor traffic conditions for accidents and incidents by using closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras. Cameras will be used along the Tappan Zee Bridge Corridor, the Niagara Thruway between downtown Buffalo and the Peace Bridge, at Interchange 24 in Albany, near Interchanges 25 (Schenectady, I-890, Routes 146 and 7), Interchange B1 (Albany, Hudson, Rensselaer) on the Berkshire Spur, the Ripley Barrier (Pennsylvania State Line) and between Interchanges 50 and 52 in Buffalo. Active monitoring facilitates quicker incident detection and response, thereby minimizing delays.

Motorists with E-ZPass accounts are reminded that E-ZPass can be used in any open toll lanes; however, in staffed lanes, E-ZPass users must come to a complete stop.

Over the holiday weekend, State Police Troop T, which exclusively patrols the Thruway, will be out in full force aiding motorists and enforcing traffic laws. The Thruway Authority and State Police remind all travelers to buckle up and properly secure children under the age of four in a child safety seat.

-30-