Syracuse Common Councilors want to make sure the state knows where they stand when it comes to redevelopment of I-81 north of the I-690 interchange. Councilors passed a resolution Monday asking the governor to direct the DOT to acknowledge the potential damage that could be done by the current proposal.
Most of the debate over the future of I-81 has centered on the viaduct south of I-690. But Northside stakeholders say the plan north of the interchange has gotten little scrutiny. District councilor Joe Carni represents most of the area, and worries either a boulevard or new viaduct to the South would harm the neighborhood.
“They haven’t presented us with an option that doesn’t have flyovers, moving bridges that will truly damage and maybe destroy everything we have down on the north side to help make it better,” said Carni.
Councilor -at-large Joe Nicoletti agreed.
”It has been said by many of the critics of this that we are ripping down 81 and now we are rebuilding that divider again on another part of the city.”
Nicoletti is presuming the state will go with a boulevard option, but any decision is likely months away. Architect and member of the group Rethink 81 Bob Haley says a return to the street grid would provide more options to commuters exiting the highway at University Hill either off of I-81 or 690. But little consideration has been given to the north side of the project.
“What this resolution is doing is to say to the DOT, clearly, please justify the fact that you have additional highway, additional flyovers, additional connections connecting 690 west and 81 north and widening of I-81 north of 690 in both options,” Haley said.
Haley says the timing is critical because an environmental impact statement has not been completed.
“Design continues throughout entire project, the draft being prepared now will be out in January," Haley said. "Timeline wise the DOT can make changes to the study at this point."
The final community meeting on I-81 will be held Tuesday at Cicero North Syracuse High School from 6 to 8 p.m.
