Drivers around University Hill are seeing changes to traffic patterns as construction on the I-81 replacement project continues.
Crews are preparing to bring the northbound lanes of I-81 down to street grade as they approach the university and hospital district. That’s where traffic will enter a roundabout near Van Buren Street. Construction of the roundabout begins Wednesday and Van Buren will close between Almond and Henry Streets.
“There's major construction involved in building this roundabout," I-81 project director Betsy Parmley said. "Major Street reconstruction, utility relocations, curb work, sidewalk work, everything in between, as you would expect in a major highway contract. We anticipate this work taking six months, so we should be done by November.”
Two blocks of Almond street under the viaduct will also close Wednesday between Taylor and Van Buren.
Syracuse University Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala said they’re working with Syracuse Police to minimize the impact on drivers arriving and departing dome events.
“It'll be challenging for the first two football games, and it'll be challenging for commencement," he said. "And we're going to have a major announcement here in a couple days on a big event that we're bringing to the dome this summer. So that'll be the first real test of the system.”
Sala said they’ll email families and sports fans before events with driving and parking directions. Parmley with the DOT said to help traffic flow, they’ve already made part of Irving Avenue in front Crouse Hospital one way southbound between the parking garage and Waverly Ave.
“This is to enhance pedestrian safety, so pedestrians really only have to look one way when they're crossing that major crosswalk in front of the hospital," she said.
Traffic signals, lane markings, signage, and message boards all warn drivers of the temporary change, Parmley said.
Irving is still a two-way street just north of the hospital between the parking garage and Adams.
