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How the I-81 Replacement Project Might Learn from Boston's 'Big Dig'

Boston University Professor Virginia Greimanshares her experiences as a consultant on Boston's Big Dig road project tonight at a presentation and Q & A session in the Onondaga County Civic Center.  It's meant to provide some insight into the process Syracuse is going through with the necessary replacement for Interstate 81'S elevated portion

Grieman can't emphasize enough the time spent on planning.  She also encourages local residents and businesses to get involved.  Greiman says the Boston project was greatly influenced by public input, which included scrapping the initial design of the bridge.  She warns people can make up their minds too quickly about a best plan.  Rather, she suggests, people have to keep an open mind and understand that such "Mega-Projects" as they're called can have a transformative effect on a community. 

Canregie Library at Montgomery and Jefferson Streets houses I-81 exhibit.

The presentation takes place tonight at the Civic Center's Carrier Theater.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the talk will begin at 7:30, followed by a question and answer session. 

The Carnegie Library on Montgomery Street in Syracuse houses an exhibit to infomr peopel about hte planning process for changing or replacing the I-81 bridge section through downtown Syracuse, as it nears its useful lifespan.  People can also register comments and questions there. 

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.