“It is not lost on me that the next focal point in the construction of the Community Grid was once a thriving community of Black and Jewish families, torn apart when I-81 was built through the heart of their neighborhood,” Hochul said. “Although it has taken over 60 years to get to this point, we are righting the wrongs of the past, reconnecting neighborhoods, and providing new opportunities for inclusion and equity in Central New York.”
Comprised of eight separate contracts, the I-81 Viaduct Project’s contract four focuses on providing a direct connection to University Hill, the busiest employment, medical, and higher education corridor in Syracuse. More than 20,000 employees, patients, and students head to the hill for work, appointments, or classes at one of the city’s hospitals, colleges, or universities.
As part of contract four, a new interchange will be constructed along I-690 westbound at Crouse Avenue, creating an additional access point for Central New York commuters destined for Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, VA Syracuse Healthcare System, SUNY Upstate Medical University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University, or the JMA Wireless Dome. To accommodate the increase in traffic, Crouse Avenue will be expanded from two to three lanes, with two lanes headed northbound and one lane headed southbound.
Additionally, Irving Avenue will be reconstructed to accommodate traffic headed to University Hill. Currently, Irving Avenue ends at East Fayette Street, but as part of contract four, the street will be extended to Erie Boulevard East. The street will also be expanded from two to three lanes — two lanes headed southbound and one lane headed northbound. A new interchange along I-690 eastbound to the extended Irving Avenue at Erie Boulevard East will be constructed in future contract six, providing a second access point for suburban commuters headed up the hill.
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The new interchanges at Crouse and Irving Avenues will relieve traffic congestion currently causing backups along I-81 northbound and southbound at the Harrison/Adams interchanges. Additionally, the new access points will eliminate the bottleneck along Almond Street (future Business Loop 81) caused by an influx of commuters headed to University Hill.
Work within contract four also includes the start of major upgrades to Syracuse’s and Onondaga County’s drainage system, separating storm water and sanitary sewer flow. Approximately 2,200 linear feet, nearly half a mile, of drainage trunk line will be installed on Erie Boulevard East, between Almond Street and University Avenue, separating the city’s rainwater runoff and sewage flow. The stormwater will run to Onondaga Creek, and the sewage will head to Onondaga County’s wastewater treatment facility for chemical treatment.
Additional contract four components include:
- The realignment of I-690 as a result of the new interchange at Crouse Avenue and the future interchange at Irving Avenue.
- Replacement of two bridges along I-690 over Lodi Street and Crouse Avenue to align with the interstate.
- Reconstruction and resurfacing of seven additional city streets to accommodate changes from contract four, including portions of Erie Boulevard; Burnet and Walnut Avenues; and East Fayette, Canal, Lodi, and East Water Streets.
- Enhanced safety, mobility, and access of the corridor for all ages and abilities by constructing ADA accessible pedestrian and cyclist amenities, including designated bike lanes, shared use paths, new sidewalks, and crosswalks with pedestrian poles.
- Improved safety and traffic flow at intersections, with new traffic video detection signals on mast arm poles to prevent vehicles from running red lights.
- Access to on-street parking along the newly extended Irving Avenue.
- The installation of noise barriers along I-690 in eight locations adjacent to the Crouse Avenue, Teall Avenue, and Midler Avenue intersections.
“With construction set to begin in the historic 15th Ward severed by construction of the I-81 viaduct, we move one step closer to tearing down the structure that has inflicted pain and suffering for generations and begin to restore hope to residents of Central New York," said Marie Therese Dominguez, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner. "This project, which was driven by the community, is a reminder of the great things that a reimagined transportation infrastructure can do — improve the quality of life, improve public safety, and facilitate local economic development.”
