Syracuse-area commuters know all too well that it’s hard to avoid construction-related back-ups and delays related to the massive I-81 project. While drivers might be weary, nearly 300 local residents are benefiting from the steady employment.
Even before heavy equipment arrived, there was a major push to require the State Department of Transportation to hire residents in select city zip codes who faced the most barriers to employment. DOT regional director Elizabeth Parmley said they’ve met their 15 percent goal for most of the first phase, even if there’s been a learning curve for both contractors and the workforce.
“Heavy highway construction is not for the faint of heart. We're out there when it's 20 degrees out. You're out there when it's 100 degrees out," she said. "The numbers speak for themselves. I mean, 288 people with 188 that are still on a job, that's huge.”
Nearly 100 of those workers had a barrier to employment. Parmley said the strong rate of retention means many workers are learning a trade and sticking with it.
“Now that we're three years in, these are people that they're moving through the apprenticeship program," she said. "So they're not only apprentice, they're journeymen now. We have quite a few people that have made it through the process. That shows the life-changing, generational-changing jobs that are being created.”
Despite the success, Parmley said they want to do better.
“We're at a really good point right now where we're wrapping up some of the work," she said. "So we're wrapping up in Cicero. We're getting close to wrapping up in the Valley. You know, what did we learn from that? What do we need to do differently?”
There’s plenty more work ahead as the state DOT prepares for phase two of the $2.25 billion project. First on the list is reconstructing I-690 as it approaches the I-81 interchange from east and west, removing the connections with I-81, and taking down the first pieces of the viaduct.
