Stretch of Tappan Zee Bridge demolished

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A demolition with explosives brought down the eastern part of the old Tappan Zee Bridge between Westchester and Rockland counties. (FOX 5 NY)

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) - A big chunk of the old Tappan Zee Bridge went down in New York history Tuesday.

Demolition with explosives took place just before 11 a.m. to remove the eastern part of the structure between Westchester and Rockland counties.

The bridge was replaced by the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, a major thoroughfare that carries Interstate 87 traffic over the Hudson River, about 30 miles north of New York City, between Tarrytown in Westchester County and Nyack in Rockland County.

Severe traffic delays were expected in both directions on I-97, I-287 and surrounding roadways. The New York State Thruway was closed in both directions for about 45 minutes between Exit 9 and Exit 11.

The demolition had been set for Saturday but it was postponed due to heavy winds.