A construction plate fell off a truck that was approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge Tuesday morning, backing up traffic for more than 15 miles.

According to Al Samuels, director of the Rockland Business Association and member of the Tappan Zee Bridge Task Force, long delays in replacing the bridge and temporary repairs have brought commuters to a standstill.

?I think somebody at the state level needs to take a look at the contractor...the process that's used,? Samuels says.

Following months of delays due to congestion and incidents involving loose construction plates, the New York State Thruway Authority is now considering the addition of a fifth southbound lane on the Tappan Zee Bridge during rush hour to ease traffic going from Rockland County into Westchester County.

During the morning rush, more than 7,000 vehicles cross the Tappan Zee into Westchester every hour, while fewer than 4,000 go into Rockland. Some critics, however, argue that five lanes going into Westchester would mean only two going into Rockland, which could cause back-ups and affect major roads such as I-287 and the Sprain Brook Parkway.

The Thruway Authority is expected to make a decision on the plan within the next week. The extra lane going into Westchester would only be in place until construction on the bridge is complete, which is expected to happen sometime around Thanksgiving.

For footage of backed up rush-hour traffic on Tappan Zee Bridge, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.