Fourth contract announced for I-81 Viaduct Project

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The fourth construction contract for the I-81 Viaduct Project in Syracuse was announced by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday, July 19.

The $313.5 million contract was awarded to CNY Alliance and will begin construction on the Community Grid along streets in Syracuse’s 15th Ward neighborhood in the eastside.

The Community Grid will replace the elevated highway in downtown Syracuse, relieving traffic congestion challenges in the city, and improving access to and from the interstate highway network, the governor’s office said.

A new interchange along I-690 West at Crouse Avenue will also be constructed, and to accommodate the increase in traffic, Crouse Avenue will be expanded from two lanes to three.

Irving Avenue will also be extended to Erie Boulevard from its current end at East Fayette Street to accommodate traffic headed to University Hill. A new interchange along I-690 East to the extended Irving Avenue at Erie Boulevard East will also be built during the future sixth contract.

Work within this contract also includes upgrading Syracuse’s and Onondaga County’s sewer drainage system, separating stormwater and sanitary sewer flow. Roughly 2,200 feet of drainage trunk will be installed on Erie Boulevard East between Almond Street and University Avenue, separating the city’s rainwater runoff and sewage flow, said the governor’s office.

Additional Contract 4 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 4, including portions of Erie Boulevard; Burnet and Walnut Avenues; 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.

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