Department of Transportation updates Syracuse City Council on I‑81 Viaduct project, timing and community protections

At a Syracuse City Council meeting, Department of Transportation staff presented a progress update on the I‑81 Viaduct project, describing two phases of work, current contract status and community protections for neighborhoods affected by demolition and reconstruction.

The DOT presenter said phase 1 comprises five contracts to build infrastructure needed to remove the viaduct, including design‑build work in Cicero and DeWitt, Inner Harbor reconstructions and a business‑loop build on the city’s South Side. “We have 2 phases of work,” the presenter said, describing contracts 1–5 and the geographic sequencing that must finish before full viaduct removal.

Contract 1 in Cicero is “mostly complete,” DOT staff said: the interchange is open and operational and remaining minor finish work and a small South Bay Road bridge are scheduled for spring. DOT reported progress on Contract 2’s southern interchange work and roundabouts, and said Contract 3 in the Inner Harbor will fully reconstruct North Clinton Street, replace several bridges and consolidate slip ramps between Court and Bear streets.

DOT said Contract 5 begins the process of bringing the interstate to grade starting at Colvin Street, building a new business loop and a roundabout at Van Buren, and shifting…