Drivers experienced major delays Friday afternoon after a Hudson Link bus caught fire on the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, formerly known as the Tappan Zee Bridge. The incident occurred around 1:49 p.m. on the southbound side of I-87, just before Exit 10, according to the traffic monitoring service 511NY.
Thick smoke was seen pouring from the bus as vehicles slowed and came to a halt. Multiple fire departments from the surrounding area rushed to the scene, shutting down the right and center lanes to allow emergency crews to battle the flames.
The Monsey Scoop first reported that the burning vehicle was a Hudson Link bus. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze, and officials later confirmed that no injuries occurred during the incident. All passengers and the driver safely evacuated the vehicle before the fire intensified.
Traffic quickly backed up across the eastbound span of the bridge as responders worked to extinguish the fire and secure the area. Drivers were advised to expect significant delays throughout the early afternoon as cleanup efforts continued.
The Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which replaced the original Gov. Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge, is a major artery connecting Rockland and Westchester counties. Friday’s incident caused widespread slowdowns across the region’s roadway network.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the cause of the fire. All lanes are expected to reopen once the scene is cleared and the bus is removed.
