The future of the state’s $2.2 billion plan to replace the I-81 viaduct in Syracuse with a community grid is in the hands of a judge after a court hearing Thursday. Both sides presented their arguments, and the judge asked several clarifying questions during the two-and-a-half hour hearing.
Attorneys representing the group Renew 81 for All claim the Department of transportation used old or inaccurate data for traffic volume and environmental impacts to justify the grid as the final alternative. Alan Knauf says the court could declare last year’s “record of decision” null and void.
"The environmental review as to be done right. Here, they just glossed over things, didn't follow proper procedures."
Knauf further argued that the state DOT should now prepare a supplemental report that includes the impact of Micron’s future plans on the region’s transportation needs.
"Everybody wants it, and everybody wants it to be a success. It really would be irrational to say, 'oh well, we're stuck with this decision even though we haven't started building it yet.' You have to see what the best solution is given that this community is going to be transformed by the Micron project."
In court, Assistant State Attorney General Meredith Lee-Clark told State Supreme Court Justice Gerard Neri that there simply aren’t enough details about Micron’s plans to produce an accurate report. She says they will eventually conduct an environmental review.
"But it will happen once Micron prepares and submits its specific project proposal. Part of this will be a traffic impact study. Micron will be required to submit that to DOT, which will look at Micron's impacts on the community transportation system, including any impacts on I-81."
Lee-Clark defended the grid plan as “rational” and “reasonable” when compared to a no-build option or a proposed Skyway. She says all of the environmental reviews had to clear numerous state and federal regulatory hurdles in order to arrive at the community grid alternative. The judge has said the state DOT can do paperwork, but no construction on the project pending his decision. It’s not known when the judge will issue a ruling.
