Southside and Downtown Locations Offer Easy-to-Reach Opportunities to Engage with Project Team Members and View Design Materials
Information Available for Job Seekers Looking to Work on Transformational Project
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of two community outreach centers to provide information and receive feedback about the transformative Interstate 81 Viaduct Project in the City of Syracuse. As part of the New York State Department of Transportation’s continuing effort to work hand-in-hand with community stakeholders, the two centers are conveniently located in areas within the city that will be significantly impacted by the project and will offer the public the opportunity to meet and talk with project team members, as well as view renderings and other design materials related to the project. Information for job seekers looking to work on this historic project will also be available.
“Today marks an important milestone for the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project as we take our community engagement efforts to the heart of the City of Syracuse,” Governor Hochul said. “These outreach centers give us the opportunity to not only meet with the public face-to-face but also provide information for job seekers looking to work on this historic infrastructure project. We are proud to partner with the community on this effort, and I encourage residents to visit us at our outreach centers in the comfort of their own neighborhoods to make sure we can incorporate feedback from those who know their community best.”
The outreach centers are located at the following locations and will have the following hours, beginning tomorrow:
- Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, 515 Oakwood Avenue, Syracuse. Open Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- The Hills Building (first floor), 217 Montgomery Street, Syracuse. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public is encouraged to visit both offices to get project information, ask questions and participate in the continued effort to collect community input. Job seekers looking to work on the I-81 Viaduct Project can visit these new outreach centers to connect with employment groups who have joined in alliance with NYSDOT on this project including Pathways to Apprenticeship, WorkSmartNY Syracuse Build, CNY Works, and New York State Department of Labor’s Workforce Forward: Syracuse, to recruit and train those who are interested.
Grassroots efforts led by community partner Urban Jobs Task Force, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the City of Syracuse and NYSDOT, helped secure one of the first local-hire provisions approved under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to incentivize hiring local residents from zip codes in disadvantaged neighborhoods at a prevailing wage.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “We have committed from the earliest days of the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project that we would listen to the community and work with them to ensure that this historic undertaking is done correctly and makes everyone proud. These two outreach centers are an integral part of that commitment and will allow our team members to be present in some of the neighborhoods that will see the biggest impact from this project, ensuring that the people’s voices continue to be heard.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "The transformation of I-81 is well on its way, thanks to historic investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. Our infrastructure should connect, not divide our communities, but for far too long, several neighborhoods in downtown Syracuse have been split by the 1950’s viaduct that was built right through the heart of the city. It is long past time we overcome this barrier and reconnect our communities, enhancing access to academia, healthcare, business and more for all, so that the City of Syracuse and its residents can achieve their full potential. I applaud Governor Hochul and NYSDOT for engaging the community to begin to rectify the damage done to the southside neighborhood, which has been isolated from greater Syracuse since the I-81 viaduct was built."
State Senator John W. Mannion said, “The redevelopment of I-81 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and the two new community outreach centers affirm that this project is moving forward with openness, transparency, and a commitment to local labor. I encourage everyone in the Syracuse community to stay involved and visit the centers to better understand the scope of the project, take advantage of job opportunities, and engage with public officials. I applaud Governor Hochul and DOT for their leadership in this historic undertaking.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “After so many years of study and debate, the process to replace I-81 with a community grid is ramping up. That progress continues with today's grand opening. These information centers will be critical during the construction process as a place for residents to voice concerns, ask questions and learn about employment opportunities. I am glad to know the state will be a steady and committed partner during this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her leadership during this exciting time.”
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “Breaking ground last month on the Interstate 81 Project was a victory for the people of Syracuse and all of Central New York. Providing continued community engagement and public information is a crucial component to the transformational project, and the new I-81 Outreach Center in the City of Syracuse will play an important role in making that happen. I am grateful for Governor Hochul and NYSDOT’s commitment to ensuring that our community, especially those most affected by the harmful impact of the 81 viaduct, will have resources available to ask questions, provide input and have first-hand access to plans, timelines and traffic patterns as we work together over the coming years.”
Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “Establishing Community Outreach Centers to help provide communication and information about the Interstate 81 project is an effective way for the state to involve Syracuse residents in this ongoing process. The project will significantly impact the region. These Community Outreach Centers will offer information on the designs, the project team members and potential jobs.”
Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “The reconstruction of the I-81 Viaduct into a community grid is a direct result of community engagement and input. In order to continue to facilitate community input, it only makes sense to have dedicated locations for community outreach centers. As this project commences, I look forward to further collaboration with Governor Hochul to ensure that the construction and final results have community input every step of the way.”
Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “Having central outreach hubs for locals to turn for details of the once in a lifetime Community Grid construction project is more than welcomed news! This means job seekers, residents, businesses, students, and tourists alike will be able to stay in the loop on the latest employment opportunities, viaduct reconstruction phases, traffic patterns and travel rerouting options, to help them get to where they need to get to in the safest and quickest manner. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the Department of Transportation for creating a proactive community engagement channel within the areas most impacted. Together we’re doing the work necessary to right the wrongs of the past and move Central New York forward.”
Pastor Decarto Draper of Tucker Missionary Baptist Church said, “We are appreciative of our partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation that is providing hope, healing and help to the community that many feel are decimated, deprived, damaged, and dysfunctional. This relationship shows that New York State and its leadership are committed to enhance the life and legacies of all citizens and communities! What a blessing to work with this fine group of leaders.”
The innovative I-81 Viaduct Project is part of Governor Hochul’s unprecedented commitment to modernize New York State’s infrastructure and invest in projects that promote equity, connectivity, and multi-modal transportation opportunities for communities across the state in partnership with the federal government. The $32.8 billion State Capital Plan adopted in 2022 helps fulfill the governor’s vision for a modern transportation system that serves New Yorkers across the state, and the I-81 Viaduct Project will be funded with a mix of federal and state resources. Since the beginning of her time in office, Governor Hochul has made reconnecting communities through infrastructure a hallmark of her Administration, with more than $3 billion allocated in the Department of Transportation’s capital plan to transform such areas in East Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and the South Bronx.
Through the construction of the Community Grid, the project aims to reverse the ill-considered decision made in the 1950s to build the viaduct through the heart of Syracuse. The Community Grid will reconnect neighborhoods, enhance mobility and improve access to and from the interstate highway network and key destinations, including the downtown business districts, area hospitals and Syracuse University. It will also provide safe and ADA accessible pedestrian and bicycle amenities throughout the project area.
Major construction is now underway on the first of multiple contracts planned for the project. Work on Contract 1 consists of reconstructing the existing Interstate 481/I-81 northern interchange to the re-designated I-81 and Business Loop 81, while also converting portions of I-481 to the new I-81 and making several road and bridge improvements along the corridor.
Contract 2, awarded last month, will begin the conversion of the southern interchange of I-481/I-81. Together these two contracts are essential to maintaining a high speed interstate connection with national and international north-south trade routes from Tennessee to the Canadian border.
Information about the project can be found on the project website at I81.dot.ny.gov.