The Interstate-81 Viaduct Project in Syracuse is one of the largest and most ambitious construction projects ever undertaken by New York State, in partnership with the federal government. Overseen by the State Department of Transportation, the project will create a Community Grid to reconnect downtown neighborhoods severed by the I-81 viaduct’s construction and correct an enduring injustice that has disproportionately impacted residents of color in the City of Syracuse for decades. The historic project, which is the result of more than a decade of planning and community engagement, will also create a new Business Loop 81, which will pass through the city distributing traffic along the way, and make other improvements that will improve mobility, enhance safety, create new recreational opportunities and promote economic growth throughout all of Central New York. This project is part of Governor Hochul’s unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State’s infrastructure and invest in projects that promote equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the state in partnership with the federal government.
In terms of costs and funding, the project costs about $2.25 billion funded with a mix of federal and state resources. $1.9 billion of the project will come from the $32.8 billion State Capital Plan adopted in 2022, helping fulfill the governor’s vision for a modern transportation system that serves New Yorkers across the state. Regarding federal support, contributions come from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021 — the state was awarded its first construction contract for the Interstate-81 project via this act.
Through the construction of the Community Grid, the project aims to reverse the poor decision made in the 1950s to build the viaduct through the heart of Syracuse. The Community Grid hopes to capitalize on connecting neighborhoods, and will enhance mobility and improve access to and from the interstate highway network and key destinations, including the downtown business districts, area hospitals, and Syracuse University. It will also provide safe and ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle amenities throughout the project area. In upgrading a portion of Interstate-481, which would be re-designated as I-81, and constructing the new Business Loop 81 along Almond Street, the project will hopefully improve connections to downtown and other business districts.
While connectivity is the main goal of the I-81 project, the project also comes with additional features to further improve existing infrastructure for the health of physical and social systems. These features include:
- Improvements to the sewer and stormwater management system that will reduce runoff and help prevent overflows during heavy rains that threaten the water quality of Onondaga Creek and Onondaga Lake
- Reconstruction of Almond Street nearly 13 miles of new or reconstructed sidewalks, two miles of new or reconstructed shared-use paths for bicycles and pedestrians, a 1-mile cycle track, and nearly two miles of new or reconstructed shared vehicle and bicycle lanes
- A new full interchange on I-690 at Crouse and Irving Avenues to provide more direct connections to hospitals, employment centers and educational facilities on University Hill
- A reconfigured I-690 West Street interchange
- A new northbound off-ramp from Business Loop 81 to Colvin Street
- Bear Street improvements
- A new third lane on I-481 northbound between I-690 and the NYS Thruway (Interstate 90); and an improved Exit 3
Currently, the project is split into multiple contracts, as planned. Work on Contract 1 consists of reconstructing the existing Interstate 481/I-81 northern interchange to the re-designated I-81 and Business Loop 81, while also converting portions of I-481 to the new I-81 and making several road and bridge improvements along the corridor. Contract 2 will begin the conversion of the southern interchange of I-481/I-81. Together these two contracts are essential to maintaining a high speed interstate connection with national and international north-south trade routes from Tennessee to the Canadian border. The first phase of the I-81 Viaduct Project will create gateways to the Community Grid and will relieve existing traffic congestion issues in the city and improve access to and from the interstate highway network and such key destinations as the downtown business districts, area hospitals, and Syracuse University. It will also provide safe and ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle amenities throughout the project area. The project is expected to be completed by 2028, with the entire construction spanning over 6 years.
Sources:
- https://www.syr.gov/News/2023/City-News/2023-07-21-Mayors-Office-News#:~:text=The%20innovative%20I%2D81%20Viaduct,partnership%20with%20the%20federal%20government.
- https://www.syracuse.com/politics/cny/2023/02/interstate-81-project-in-syracuse-among-first-to-win-federal-grant-to-reconnect-communities.html#:~:text=The%20initiative%20is%20funded%20by,%242.25%20billion%20Interstate%2081%20project.
- https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2022/04/ny-lawmakers-approve-11-billion-for-interstate-81-project-in-syracuse.html
- http://thei81challenge.org/
- https://www.syracuse.com/state/2022/04/i-81-project-timeline-when-construction-starts-and-ends.html#:~:text=Phase%201%20is%20expected%20to,to%20be%20done%20in%202028.
