I-81 viaduct

Judge Gerard Neri ordered the state to submit a supplemental environmental impact statement to justify the removal of the viaduct and replacing it with a community grid.

The group Renew 81 For All claims the state DOT used old or inaccurate data; state attorneys say the environmental reviews cleared numerous regulatory hurdles.

A visit by White House infrastructure coordinator Mitch Landrieu serves as an affirmation of sorts for state and local leaders as to what's possible with the community grid.

President Biden's senior advisor and infrastructure coordinator, Mitch Landrieu, is closely watching how the pieces come together for the I-81 replacement project in Syracuse.

Syracuse-area health, safety, and parent advocates want the state DOT to ensure those living and attending school near the I-81 viaduct are properly protected from lead dust exposure when the bridge is torn down. They gathered in front of Martin Luther King school Wednesday, which lies in the shadow of the highway.

The public hearing portion on the state DOT’s latest draft of the I-81 viaduct replacement plan is now complete after dozens weighed in at two virtual and two in-person hearings this week. But the outreach continues next week and into September with neighborhood meetings.

About 70 people turned out for Tuesday’s first virtual public hearing on the revised draft of the replacement for I-81 viaduct.

Those who live or used to live near the I-81 viaduct are calling on the state DOT not to repeat the same mistakes from 60 years ago as plans move forward with the proposed community grid replacement.

Dozens of Syracuse advocates and community residents marched from Martin Luther King, Jr. school to the state office building over the weekend demanding justice for those living near the I-81 viaduct.

Elected officials and community members in Syracuse are pushing back hard against a so-called Skybridge proposal by some suburban leaders who claim the viaduct replacement would complement the community grid.