Your Stories Q&A: Here’s what construction crews are doing with the red crane on I-481 in DeWitt

DEWITT, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — You ask, we answer!

Viewer Question: What are crews doing with the large crane I see on I-481 northbound, near DeWitt Town Hall?

If you’ve driven on this stretch of I-481 north, near Kinne Road, you’ve likely seen the red crane that this viewer has noticed.

This construction zone is part of the $2.25 billion I-81 Viaduct Project.

Crews are in the process of transitioning the current I-481 into the new Interstate 81.

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the crane is being used to install noise barriers.

“ The red crane motorist see is attached to a pile driver used to drive piles into the ground. Some of the foundations being installed for the new noise barriers along that stretch of Interstate 481 northbound will sit on top of piles instead of concrete drilled shafts ,” NYSDOT said in an email to the YS Team.

According to the I-81 Viaduct project website, Contract 2 calls for three new noise barriers along I-481 in the Town of DeWitt.

Two are being constructed in the area of Kinne Road, where the crane is currently located. Another is being built along I-481 northbound, near Cliffside Community , a mobile home park off Rock Cut Road.

Several noise barriers are planned in and around Syracuse as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project. According to the project’s website, 15 sound barriers will be constructed.

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