Another stage of the I-81 project shifts construction activity to Syracuse’s densely populated south side and University Hill.
As reported earlier, the most intense work includes the removal of the first several spans of the 1.4 mile elevated highway to make way for the street-level boulevard.
The state Department of Transportation is holding an open house Wednesday where residents can learn more, especially about protection from noise and air pollution. At I-81 near Van Buren and Almond Streets, project director Betsy Parmley pointed out one of the air quality monitors.
“Some have a noise monitor as well,” she looked to see if this system did. “Yes, this one does have a noise monitor on it,” Parmley said. “We get the reports so we can monitor our activities, make sure we're staying within all of the committed to thresholds.”
A microphone mounted on the unit measures whether equipment noise levels on site are too loud. On this part of the project, contractors know jack hammers are prohibited.
“Those are noisy pieces of equipment. They are not allowed to use those. So that's reduces the amount of noise immediately,” Parmley said. “There are also noise restrictions at night. So between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, the contractor has to stay under 70 decibels. To put it in comparison, on 81 right now, it's probably around 80 decibels.”
The plan is to cut the viaduct into pieces and cart it away rather than the typical jackhammering. Concerns about old lead paint on the bridges are also taken seriously.
“The bridges will more or less be wrapped, and then all of the flaking paint will be removed within this enclosed area with vacuum powered tools,” Parmley said. “So it should really reduce any sort of lead particles going out into the community.”
Long before any work began, she said, a certified industrial hygienist hired by the DOT reviewed the contractors’ health and safety plans to educate their workforce and the community. More information is at Wednesday’s open house from 6 to 8 PM at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central on E. Adams Street.
