Drivers will experience lane closures in South Nyack as construction crews get ready to demolish the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The demolition phase of the old Tappan Zee Bridge will require a complete closure of a portion of River Road that crosses underneath the Tappan Zee Bridge in South Nyack and Grand View. Crews will be using mobile cranes and other equipment as large sections of concrete and steel are removed from the area.

The closure is scheduled to begin today and extend into early November, six days a week, from Monday through Saturday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The closures will be in effect for at least the next four weeks. Traffic on River Road will be detoured to Route 9W.

In addition, beginning today, two southbound lanes on the New York State Thruway will be closed overnight between exits 11 and 9. That traffic shift will start at 6 p.m. and last until 5 a.m. and lasts through Friday of this week.

Thruway Authority officials are strongly encouraging drivers to avoid the area until the initial work is finished in early November.