SYRACUSE -- Today is your first chance to share your thoughts on what should happen through a portion of a major highway that runs through downtown Syracuse.
The public will have a chance to their their comments at an input session from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Oncenter.
Interstate 81 in Syracuse is nearing the end of its expected lifespan, and will either need to be replaced or removed over the next few years. The specific issue is the 1.4 miles of elevated roadway, from Van Buren Street on the south, in the University area, to Willow Street on Syracuse's near north side. At this point all options are being considered, and the State DOT has taken the extra step of partnering with the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council to get public input on a plan for the rebuild.
Some local advocates would like to see I-81 traffic diverted around the city to Interstate 481, and the current highway converted to a street-level boulevard. Others contend the city could not function without a reliable highway to bring workers to and from the Syracuse University area and downtown.
There are public input sessions coming up this week at the Oncenter. You're invited to stop in and see some of the highway's history and look at possible options, though the planners say ALL options are on the table at this point.
The input sessions are Tuesday & Wednesday, 4 - 8pm and Saturday 9am - noon. There's free parking at the Oncenter garage if you go. There will also be sign and Spanish language interpreters. There's also a virtual session at the SMTC website, available anytime.
Monday, CNY Central held a phone bank and online chat to get your opinion on what should be done with Interstate 81 Those participating in the chat/phone bank included:
- James D'Agostino, Metropolitan Transportation Council
- Nell Donaldson, Metropolitan Transportation Council
- Mario Colone, Metropolitan Transportation Council
- Bill Egloff, NYS Department of Transportation
- Van Robinson, Syracuse Common Council President
See some of the online comments below:
