I-81 project

Crews can still do a variety of work in the cold except pour concrete for bridge decks.

The State Departments of Labor and Transportation are highlighting success with local hiring, ensuring city residents have the opportunity to work on the $2.25 billion project.

Residents on Fillmore Ave. are used to people cutting through Loretto from S. Salina Street or E. Glen Ave. But the volume has increased dramatically since construction has tied up traffic on nearby E. Brighton Ave. and the highway.

I-690 eastbound will be reduced to two lanes starting Monday between I-81 and Teall Ave. for construction of a new interchange with Crouse and Irving Aves.

This phase of the I-81 project is the first to take place in the heart of Syracuse.

It's called Contract 3 by state DOT officials, and includes the "canyon" area north of I-690 to the Inner Harbor. The first two contracts are at the northern and southern interchanges with I-481.

About 200 people turned out at a recent job fair to gather information and make connections.

The visit by Tom Perez comes less than two weeks after his boss, President Biden. Perez is Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Turnout was robust at a recent heavy equipment job fair hosted by the NYS DOT and Labor Department.

The NYCLU has led the movement, which contrasts with the City of Syracuse's desire to take ownership of the land and control future development.