No. The plan is to always have a bridge open to traffic during and after construction. Tappan Zee Constructors is currently building both new bridges just north of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge. The new northern span will be completed first and then all traffic will be temporarily shifted from the existing bridge onto the new northern span. The new northern span will be 96 feet wide with enough space for 8 temporary lanes and a center safety divider. Once the landings of the existing bridge are torn down and the pre-built southern span is connected to the landings, then half the traffic will be shifted off the northern span. In the final condition, each new span will have 4 general traffic lanes (all 12 feet wide), breakdown lanes, emergency access/bus lanes and the northern span will include a bike/pedestrian path.