Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today urged drivers in the New York City Metro area to use caution as icy conditions are making travel difficult across the region. Affecting the entire tri-state area, motorists should be particularly careful until temperatures stabilize, which is expected to happen in the early afternoon.

“New Yorkers should exercise extreme caution or avoid travel completely as icy roads and dangerous conditions are currently unavoidable,” Governor Cuomo said. “Staying off the roads will ensure needless accidents are avoided and allow storm response teams to prepare the roads for safe travel.”

Response efforts are underway, with 215 plows salting roads.

Road Closures

· Beekman, Dutchess County –State Hwy 55 between Dorn Road and U.S. Hwy 6
· Putnam Valley, Putnam County – Taconic State Parkway Between U.S. Hwy 6 and I-84
· Ramapo, Rockland County – Palisades Interstate Parkway South of Exit 17 Anthony Wayne Recreation Area
· Peekskill, Westchester County – U.S. Hwy 9 at Welcher Ave
· Rye, Westchester County – Exit 19, Playland Parkway
· Elmsford, Westchester County – Sprain Brook Parkway at I-287
· Greenburgh, Westchester County – Saw Mill River Parkway at Exit 23, Old Saw Mill River Road
· Mount Kisco, Westchester County – Saw Mill River Parkway At Exit 37, Kisco Avenue

The New York State Thruway (I-87 and I-287), New England Thruway (I-95), and Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) all remain open.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

Some MTA services were affected by the freezing rain. Bus service in the Bronx and northern Queens was suspended for a time as a safety precaution until road conditions improved. Other routes continued running but were affected by delays and detours. All MTA Bridges and Tunnels remained open with their roadways treated against icing, but many approaches and exits were affected by icy conditions on adjacent roadways.

Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and the New York City Subway continued operating through the storm, with crews paying extra attention to clearing ice from platforms, stairways and parking lots.

(YWN Desk – NYC)