Contact: Beau Duffy, (518) 457-6400
Release Date: July 24, 2014
Five Public Meetings Coming Up About The I-81 Viaduct Project
Neighborhood Meetings Set To Inform Local Communities and Gather Public Comments
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) today issued a reminder about five upcoming neighborhood meetings – including one tonight -- regarding the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project. The neighborhood meetings are designed to give residents throughout the Syracuse region additional opportunities to learn about the project and voice their opinions. Each neighborhood meeting includes a presentation by NYSDOT and an opportunity to discuss the project with team members. Attendees also can submit written comments for consideration. Two meetings have been held in the past week, one downtown and the other on the Southside. The schedule for the next meetings follows. All of the meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. Eastside Meeting Thursday, July 24, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at HW Smith K-8 School, 1130 Salt Springs Rd., Syracuse 13224 Southside Meeting Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Toomey Abbott Towers, 1207 Almond St., Syracuse 13210 Westside Meeting Wednesday, July 30, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at St. Lucy’s Parish Auditorium/Gym, 425 Gifford St., Syracuse 13204 Northside Meetings Thursday, July 31, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Dr. Weeks Elementary School, 701 Hawley Drive, Syracuse 13203, and Thursday, July 31, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Church of Our Lady of Pompei/St. Peter, 301 Ash St., Syracuse 13208 NYSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration are conducting a detailed environmental study of proposed improvements to I-81 in Syracuse, Onondaga County. The study includes portions of nearby interstates 690 and 481. The study, called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), is being done in keeping with state and federal environmental laws. NYSDOT held four neighborhood meetings about the project last fall, as well as other public meetings to provide information and seek community ideas. I-81 was built in the 1950s and 1960s. The elevated portion of the highway, known as the viaduct in downtown Syracuse, is deteriorating and needs to be upgraded. NYSDOT is proposing to reconstruct or replace I-81 between Dr. Martin Luther King East (formerly Castle Street) and Hiawatha Boulevard in Syracuse. The agency also is considering improvements to I-690 between West Street and Teall Ave., as well as to I-481. Proposals are detailed in a Draft Scoping Report, which was issued in late June and discussed at a public meeting in Syracuse on June 26, 2014. The report provides an overview of the project, its purpose and need and the project alternatives considered, among other things. The report presents 16 project alternatives and recommends six be studied further and the remaining 10 eliminated. The document is available for public review on the project website, at the Project Outreach Center located at 335 Montgomery Street in Syracuse, and at other project document viewing sites throughout Syracuse. A list of those locations is available on the project website, www.i81opportunities.org., or by calling the I-81 Project Hotline at 855-I81-TALK (855-481-8255). The public is encouraged to submit comments on the report, particularly the project’s purpose, need, and objectives, as well as the range and substance of project alternatives that have been considered during the initial "scoping" comment period. Written comments will be accepted through September 2, 2014. They may be sent to Mark Frechette, Project Director, I-81 Viaduct Project, 333 E. Washington Street, Syracuse NY 13202, or submitted via the project website. Please contact Gene Cilento at (315) 428-4351 for interpreter services or other accommodations that will be required to facilitate participation in the meetings. ###
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