Traffic started flowing again Friday over the Tappan Zee Bridge after emergency repairs were made to fasten loose construction plates.

Shortly before noon, all southbound lanes were reopened to alleviate the congestion that resulted from the closing of two Westchester lanes. Later, however, the lanes were closed again to allow crews to finish repairing the plates.

While the roads were shut down, the Rockland County side of the bridge looked a lot like a parking lot during the morning rush with some complaining they had been stuck in traffic for about an hour.

"I haven't seen traffic like this in ? 10 years," says one motorist. "Usually you see some normal traffic for rush hour, but this was off the hook."

Ramesh Mehta, of the Thruway Authority, says officials are working to secure the plates more adequately to ensure they will not shift in the future.

Mehta adds that plate problems will not be tolerated, and if they persist, the contractor will face financial penalties.

For Chopper 12 footage and interviews about delays caused by Tappan Zee Bridge repairs, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Channel 612.