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Syracuse progress on expanded broadband will be temporary setback for commuters

Street signs at Clinton and Onondaga streets in downtown Syracuse with construction equipment in the background
Chris Bolt/WAER News
Fiber optic cable project for increased broadband to cause traffic delays in busy downtown Syracuse intersection from October 27 through about November 10.

The City of Syracuse is installing fiber optic cable on the city’s west side along West Onondaga Street for about the next two weeks. The intersections around Clinton and Gifford Streets will be reduced to one lane between 6:00 A-M and 6:00 P-M, causing delays.

Many commuters use the corridor from the west and south of downtown, and are asked to seek other routes.

Mayor Ben Walsh said the fiber project is part of the city’s plans to expand high-speed internet access to under-resourced areas. He added it should bring faster, more reliable service to homes and businesses in local neighborhoods.

During construction, drivers are asked to seek alternative routes during heavy traffic periods. Sidewalks are expected to stay open during the project.

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.