By Sara Jerde | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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A portion of a new 3-mile-long bridge, connecting Westchester County to the New York State Thruway, will open overnight if weather allows on Friday. The construction project to build the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, named after current New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's father, began in 2013.

The new bridge will replace what is known as the crumbling and dated, 62-year-old Tappan Zee Bridge.

Here's what you need to know to safely and efficiently commute.

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If it rains on Friday, what happens?

All bets are off! Not really, if it does pour, a rain date of Saturday, Aug. 26 has been set. A rain date doesn't seem to be likely anyway, with the weather forecast at this point.

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What changes can be expected?

On Friday night, officials will begin changing the traffic flow of four northbound/westbound traffic lanes on the new bridge, according to a New York state website devoted to providing bridge updates.

Drivers should still be cautious, though. The new bridge is still considered an active construction site and the speed limit will be 45 mph. All the lanes will be a similar width to those on the old bridge.

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During this temporary, new traffic pattern, four lanes of southbound/eastbound traffic will still be on the old bridge.

The landing points in both Rockland and Westchester will continue to be worked on before southbound/eastbound traffic is transferred to the new bridge, which is scheduled to take place in the fall.

At that time, the southbound/eastbound lanes will be shifted on to the new bridge so the second span can be finished. A temporary concrete barrier will keep traffic in opposite directions separated.

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Will there be lane closures on Friday?

Yes, multiple lanes will close after 9 p.m. on Friday.

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Will there be detours on Friday?

Yes, the on-ramp exit 9 on the northbound/westbound Thruway from Route 119 will be closed at about 9 p.m. and will reopen by 6 a.m. Saturday.

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The southbound Exit 10 off-ramp will also close at about 9 p.m. and is scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. Saturday.

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How do I get traffic updates?

There are multiple ways officials are communicating with drivers about these changes. Among the ways to get updates, drivers can sign up for emails about traffic at wwwapps.thruway.ny.gov/tas/, check their Twitter accounts: @ThruwayTraffic and @NYSThruway and visit www.thruway.ny.gov.

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When will the entire bridge be completed?

The entire bridge is expected to open in 2018.

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How will the bridge be paid for?

The bridge comes with a hefty $4 billion price tag. The State of New York put aside $2 billion from bank settlements and $1.6 billion from a federal loan for the project. In addition, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said tolls would help pay for the bridge. Under Cuomo's administration, Thruway tolls, and on the new bridge, are frozen until at least 2020.

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Will there eventually be a shared biking or walking path?

Yes, the project calls for a path to be built on the westbound side after the eastbound portion is completed next year. There will also be six overlooks, parking, pavilions and art.

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How many people have actually used the bridge?

In 2016, about 50 million cars crossed the Tappan Zee Bridge.

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What will happen to the old bridge?

Many of the materials that make up the old bridge will be taken to state and local municipalities. Once the old bridge is removed, the second span can be connected to the Westchester and Rockland landings.

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Read more about N.J. commuters' issues:

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Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.

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