Holiday road travel tips

The New York State Thruway Authority wants to make this year's holiday travel season go as smooth as possible.
The Thruway Authority says heavy Thanksgiving traffic starts on Wednesday, November 21 and runs through Sunday, November 25 with the heaviest travel most likely occurring from noon to 8pm on Wednesday and Sunday.
In 2006, more than 4 million vehicles traveled more than 137 million miles on the Thruway on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Here's what you can do to alleviate traffic tie-ups:

Ensure all vehicle fluids are full.

Check the vehicle's battery, wipers, defrosters and lights for proper operation.

Make certain that tires are properly inflated, including the spare in the trunk.

In colder weather, make sure the gas tank is at least half full.

Remember that posted speed limits are for ideal travel conditions; slow down and exercise caution when traveling in inclement weather.

Be on the lookout for deer as it is one of the peak times of year for vehicle-deer accidents.

State Police will be out in full force to enforce traffic laws and aid drivers in need.
Also, to keep traffic moving smoothly, E-ZPass customers are reminded that E-ZPass can be used in any open toll lane.

The heaviest traffic is likely to be found at the Woodbury, New Rochelle and Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Barriers near New York City; at Interchange 17 (Newburgh, I-84, Route 17K, Stewart Airport) and Interchange 16 (Harriman, Route 17, US 6); at the Canaan Toll Barrier on the Berkshire Section, which connects the Thruway to the Massachusetts Turnpike; at Albany Interchanges 23 & 24; at Interchange 45 (Rochester, Victor, I-490) and at the Lackawanna and Williamsville Toll Barriers near Buffalo; Interchanges 41 (Waterloo, Clyde, Route 414) and 42 (Geneva, Lyons, Route 14).

While there are a few ongoing construction projects along the Thruway, work will be stopped in the following Divisions:

Buffalo Division (Milepost 350.6 - 496.0) construction will be halted starting Wednesday, November 21 at noon and will resume on Sunday, November 25 at 10 p.m.

Syracuse Division (Milepost 197.9 - 350.6) construction will be halted from Tuesday, November 20 at 3 p.m. and will resume Monday, November 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Albany Division (Milepost 76.5 - 197.9) construction will be halted starting on Wednesday, November 21 at 7:00 a.m. and will resume on Monday, November 26 at 10 a.m.

New York Division (Milepost 0.0 - 76.5) construction will be halted starting Wednesday, November 21 at 6 a.m. and will resume on Monday, November 26 at 10 a.m.

For the latest information on the Thruway, motorists can obtain current road conditions along the Thruway by calling, toll-free, 24 hours a day, 1-800-THRUWAY (1-800-847-8929) and are encouraged to sign up for TRANSalerts via the Authority's website www.nysthruway.gov .

Additionally, Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) stations broadcast traffic, accident and other Thruway specific information on the following frequencies: 530 AM in the Tappan Zee Bridge Corridor; 1610 AM in the Newburgh, Albany and Buffalo areas; 540 AM in the Utica area; 98.7 FM in the Ripley Region; and 1620 AM in the Syracuse area.