Theresa Juva-Brown

tjuva@lohud.com

While major demolition of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge won't start until 2017, a small piece of it will be taken down in the coming days.

Crews have started to remove a 500-foot-long triangular piece of the bridge to make way for the new span's Westchester landing.

"The removal of this small section will not affect the structural integrity of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge," said Carla Julian, spokeswoman for Tappan Zee Constructors, the team designing and building the new twin span. "TZC has engineered the safe removal and will take all necessary precautions to minimize any potential impacts to the bridge, traffic flow and the surrounding community."

In addition to the slice of the existing bridge, crews will also dismantle a related column and footing. These parts need to be removed so workers can build the abutment and first foundation pier for the new northbound span, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2016, project officials say.

The six-week operation involves cutting the section into smaller segments during the day. At night, the pieces will be moved away by a crane. Depending on the type of material, the parts will be recycled or disposed, officials say.

Related to this work, crews in recent weeks have narrowed and shifted the traffic lanes on northbound Interstate 287 between Exit 9 and the bridge. Though there are still four traffic lanes, they are six inches narrower because crews need space to build the Westchester landing. The speed limit has also been reduced to 45 miles per hour in the area.

In other Tappan Zee news:

One of the world's largest floating cranes has arrived at the project site, where it is set to get to work soon.

Officially known as the Left Coast Lifter, but nicknamed the I Lift NY super crane by state leaders, the monster machine is now positioned north of the existing Tappan Zee. On Oct. 8, it was carefully lowered under the bridge, clearing the span by just a few feet. It is expected to remain on the north side of the bridge for the next two years and assist with lifting giant pieces of material for the tower platforms and road deck.

While major demolition of the existing Tappan Zee Bridge won't start until 2017, a small piece of it will be taken down in the coming days.