Drivers trying to connect to I-81 southbound from I-481 on Syracuse’s southern edge no longer have to take a detour. The reopening of a ramp means the interchange is a step closer to completion.
Traffic is now flowing freely over the high-speed ramp, carrying drivers from the eastern suburbs and northern part of the county south to Tully, Cortland and Binghamton. State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said it’s the top layer of a three-tier project.
“There is a bridge that's currently under construction that's going to link I-81 southbound to I-481 northbound," she said. "And beneath that is going to be the future Business Loop 81 northbound. This triple-decker infrastructure is the new southern interchange.”
Dominguez said the new ramp should save money on maintenance. The new bridge is down to 225 feet from the former 850 foot long span.
She said this part of the project is a few months behind due to harsh weather.
“When we started the project, that first winter three years ago was actually pretty mild, and we were able to actually get a lot of work done in a very short period of time," she said. "The last two winters Syracuse has been pounded with snow and cold temperatures.
So yes, we got a lot of work done, but we still have work that we need to complete that's going to take us into the summer.”
She said more work needs to be done before the 81 viaduct thru the city can come down, including new entrance and exit ramps along I-690 near University Hill.
“We're building everything on the outside first so that those interchanges and access points are available," Dominguez said. "And then we go into the city of Syracuse and start to work on the streetscape and bring down the viaduct. But when we do that, people have ways of going around the city that are efficient.”
Removal of the viaduct is expected to begin later this year.
