Syracuse-area residents have the chance Thursday evening to learn more about the work underway on the I-81 project’s northern interchange in Cicero. Numerous state DOT officials and contractors will be on hand at an open house to provide information and answer questions.
Motorists who use I-481 north of Kirkville Road toward the I-81 interchange have probably noticed crews working on a number of projects. I-81 Viaduct Project Director Betsy Parmley says that work is being done under what’s called Contact One.
“Improvements such as new noise barrier installation, some widening bridge work, some culvert replacements and some other environmental improvements in the area. There’s also a little bit of work along the existing I-81.”
It also includes a high-speed connection at the interchange to replace what are now ramps. Parmley says they’re also temporarily widening the highways in order to maintain two lanes of traffic during construction. She says Contract Two has just been awarded, and will focus on the southern I-81/481 interchange.
“So there will be some capacity improvements along the corridor," Parmley said. "It's making those high speed connections between the existing I-81 and I-481, so this is all what we consider the preparatory work to advance the rest of the project.”
The open house will also include information about jobs. Parmley says they’re working toward meeting local hiring goals.
“We're just getting started in construction. So we are seeing some local hires and it's ramping up," Parmley said. "I think we'll see more and more as we get going, especially now that we have contract one and soon contract 2 going. So it's going well. We're seeing people from the community get hired on this job.”
Parmley says the final design is underway for Contract Three. Ongoing litigation over the removal of the I-81 viaduct in Syracuse prohibits work on future contracts.
The open house will be held Thursday evening from 6 to 8 pm at North Syracuse Junior High School 5353 W. Taft Rd. in North Syracuse.
