New York State Thruway

[Jim]

Normally it takes me a bit under 3.5 hours (I think 10-15 minutes shorter), but this time, it took a solid four hours of drive time.  So in addition to losing half an hour traversing MP 276-269, I lost another 15 minutes to the lower travel speed (although a brief delay on I-490 didn't help either).

Frustrating and annoying, I'm sure, but I'd take that as a win on a big holiday travel day. If I have to travel on those peak days, I go in expecting the worst and anything not quite that bad is a bonus.

The service areas were packed too.  As in packed enough that the line to get into the parking lot was backing up onto the mainline.  I didn't use any, but I can't imagine they were handing the volume.

I wonder if it was just not enough parking (not new) or not enough capacity from the undersized inside features to move people through so parking spots could not turn over quickly enough.

[vdeane]

Yeah, I tend to drive slightly faster but I figure 3 hours from 45 to 24 is a pretty decent trip.

That's probably about my Thruway-only time.  Very roughly.

[roadman65]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

[Rothman]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

[kalvado]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

This one was done pretty harsh. Public input, discussions? Nah, 3 days, vote rubber stamp by assembly, done.
I mean, even Gulf of America is done better than Daddy's Bridge.

[Rothman]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

This one was done pretty harsh. Public input, discussions? Nah, 3 days, vote rubber stamp by assembly, done.
I mean, even Gulf of America is done better than Daddy's Bridge.

Pfft.  So is the naming of other transportation facilities.  None have been done with much fanfare.

Nothing is stopping people from still calling it the Tappan Zee Bridge, just like everyone does on everything else that has been officially renamed over the years. 

Well, except Alt 7.  People should be fined for still calling it that.

[Jim]

Well, except Alt 7.  People should be fined for still calling it that.

Yes. Yes, they should.

[roadman65]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

No kidding. But that wasn't the point to say the bridge should be renamed.  Just that people make a fuss.

In Florida the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is named after Senator Bob Graham, but signs dont say it. People call it the Sunshine Skyway.  IMO people should just call it as they wish and the Thruway Authority should just re sign the crossing to Tappan Zee as the name on the sign dont change the legislation.   

Or better yet follow the MUTCD and use Albany and New York City as control points and on I-287 use Tarrytown beyond White Plains.

[Rothman]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

No kidding. But that wasn't the point to say the bridge should be renamed.  Just that people make a fuss.

In Florida the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is named after Senator Bob Graham, but signs dont say it. People call it the Sunshine Skyway.  IMO people should just call it as they wish and the Thruway Authority should just re sign the crossing to Tappan Zee as the name on the sign dont change the legislation.   

Or better yet follow the MUTCD and use Albany and New York City as control points and on I-287 use Tarrytown beyond White Plains.

A change.org petition isn't even a fuss.

[roadman65]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.   Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

No kidding. But that wasn't the point to say the bridge should be renamed.  Just that people make a fuss.

In Florida the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is named after Senator Bob Graham, but signs dont say it. People call it the Sunshine Skyway.  IMO people should just call it as they wish and the Thruway Authority should just re sign the crossing to Tappan Zee as the name on the sign dont change the legislation.   

Or better yet follow the MUTCD and use Albany and New York City as control points and on I-287 use Tarrytown beyond White Plains.

A change.org petition isn't even a fuss.

If people complain it is a fuss.  Just the the Left ranting about Trump or the Right going on before about Obama and later Biden are all making a fuss. Despite the merit of the complaint,  its still a fuss.

[hotdogPi]

What Rothman is saying is that petitions on change.org don't make a difference in the real world. Nobody in power pays attention to the website.

[SignBridge]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.  Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

No kidding. But that wasn't the point to say the bridge should be renamed.  Just that people make a fuss.

In Florida the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is named after Senator Bob Graham, but signs dont say it. People call it the Sunshine Skyway.  IMO people should just call it as they wish and the Thruway Authority should just re sign the crossing to Tappan Zee as the name on the sign dont change the legislation. 

Or better yet follow the MUTCD and use Albany and New York City as control points and on I-287 use Tarrytown beyond White Plains.

Re: the original MUTCD practice of using city names only. The Manual tries to use a one size fits all system to standardize signing from one end of America to the other. This might be a laudable goal but not practical in all cases. In the NYC region some of these bridges (Tappan Zee, Geo. Washington and Verrazano) might be considered destinations in themselves and are worthy of being shown along with the cities on the BGS's for maximum clarity of the route.

[vdeane]

These rumblings about renaming the GMCB are essentially continuous and periodically spawn news articles.  I'll believe it's actually going to happen when the signs change and not a moment before.  It's pretty much background noise at this point.

[roadman65]

https://nypost.com/2025/11/29/us-news/petition-started-to-restore-tappan-zee-bridge-name/

I see they are at it again.  Not saying its a worthy cause or not, but it is happening.  People are still not happy with the current name.

Pfft.  It's a meaningless change.org petition.

Look beyond the headline and look into the information presented in articles...and what is conspicuously omitted...

I mean, people still call the other bridges and tunnels in the area by their old names and, for some reason, the clamoring is much softer on reverting them to their old names...

No kidding. But that wasn't the point to say the bridge should be renamed.  Just that people make a fuss.

In Florida the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is named after Senator Bob Graham, but signs dont say it. People call it the Sunshine Skyway.  IMO people should just call it as they wish and the Thruway Authority should just re sign the crossing to Tappan Zee as the name on the sign dont change the legislation. 

Or better yet follow the MUTCD and use Albany and New York City as control points and on I-287 use Tarrytown beyond White Plains.

Re: the original MUTCD practice of using city names only. The Manual tries to use a one size fits all system to standardize signing from one end of America to the other. This might be a laudable goal but not practical in all cases. In the NYC region some of these bridges (Tappan Zee, Geo. Washington and Verrazano) might be considered destinations in themselves and are worthy of being shown along with the cities on the BGS's for maximum clarity of the route.

I never had an issue with the bridges or tunnels being used at all. I grew up in North Central Jersey and Goethals Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing were signed where my parents drove on a regular basis.  In fact Lincoln Tunnel is better than Secaucus for Exit 153A on the Garden State Parkway.  Considering Exit 159 of the GSP still uses G Washington Br they can be consistent and still sign Lincoln Tunnel for the Route 3 exit in Clifton.

[roadman65]

What Rothman is saying is that petitions on change.org don't make a difference in the real world. Nobody in power pays attention to the website.

I'm not saying it is, I just posted an article that states people are at it again.  The topic is old, and per Rothman people need to quit whinning and take action and not through a worthless channel.  People have the right to feel the way they do.

I'm not from New York and they can take care of themselves.   I have an opinion on it, but its their state. 

I'm not knocking or praising these outbursts, but it is noticeable that this name war is still popping up and some on this forum  I know didnt appreciate the way it came to be and the namesake's powerful son was pushing hard to rename that structure beyond legislation.   So its worth mentioning.  And being Rothman has a bad character is more the better although my intention was not to antagonized him.   

[Rothman]

I'll never quit winning.

[SignBridge]

I'll never quit winning.

That's good because winning is better than losing.

[vdeane]

The Thruway is taking comments for their Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.  Interestingly, on the home page it appears that they're adopting Vision Zero.

https://www.thruwaysafety.org

[kalvado]

The Thruway is taking comments for their Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.  Interestingly, on the home page it appears that they're adopting Vision Zero.

https://www.thruwaysafety.org

As far as I can tell, there is nothing beyond "we need a safety review" yet. Which isn't a bad idea.
Someone may want to remind them that they had a drop in fatalities when the speed limit increased from 55 to 65

[vdeane]

The Thruway is taking comments for their Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.  Interestingly, on the home page it appears that they're adopting Vision Zero.

https://www.thruwaysafety.org

As far as I can tell, there is nothing beyond "we need a safety review" yet. Which isn't a bad idea.
Someone may want to remind them that they had a drop in fatalities when the speed limit increased from 55 to 65

The plan is far from complete (draft is due this summer), but I did find this little nugget on the home page towards the bottom:

Goal of Vision Zero
 To eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes

This suggests that Vision Zero is guiding a lot of what they're thinking about when putting together the plan.

The comment about fatalities seems like a good supplement to the one mentioning the 65 mph speed limit as a cause of the speed variances in the system.

[webny99]

Oh, there's an interactive map where you can submit feedback on safety at specific locations:

https://www.thruwaysafety.org/share-your-thoughts-1-1

This will be fun!  *cough* Exit 45 *cough*

[ElishaGOtis]

The Thruway is taking comments for their Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.  Interestingly, on the home page it appears that they're adopting Vision Zero.

https://www.thruwaysafety.org

As far as I can tell, there is nothing beyond "we need a safety review" yet. Which isn't a bad idea.
Someone may want to remind them that they had a drop in fatalities when the speed limit increased from 55 to 65

The plan is far from complete (draft is due this summer), but I did find this little nugget on the home page towards the bottom:

Goal of Vision Zero
 To eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes

This suggests that Vision Zero is guiding a lot of what they're thinking about when putting together the plan.

The comment about fatalities seems like a good supplement to the one mentioning the 65 mph speed limit as a cause of the speed variances in the system.

But but but if you post 65 everyone will go 80 and think of the children! We need to put 30 everywhere so that people will go 45 just like on NY-198 because that totally worked wonders! Vision zero!

[Plutonic Panda]

I added some comments of my own. I'm sure you might be able to figure out which ones they are.

[webny99]

I added some comments of my own. I'm sure you might be able to figure out which ones they are.

Same here.    Most of mine are fairly predictable based on my commentary here.

[Plutonic Panda]

I added some comments of my own. I'm sure you might be able to figure out which ones they are.

Same here.    Most of mine are fairly predictable based on my commentary here.

I'm gonna go on a limb and say you're the sign and numbering guy. Either way, I upvoted your comments. I agree that the numbering system is extremely weird.