For Immediate Release: November 10, 2013
Contact: Mark Nicotra, (315) 313-5765, [email protected]
NEW POLL: ONONDAGA COUNTY VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSE A BOULEVARD TO REPLACE I-81
Only 18% Approve of Boulevard Plan
SYRACUSE, NY – Area voters are overwhelmingly opposed to replacing Interstate 81 with a boulevard, according to a new poll commissioned by Save81.org that was released today.
When asked, “Thinking about the part of I-81 that runs through the City of Syracuse, do you think your area would be better served if I-81 was maintained in its present form or would you prefer if it was replaced with a tunnel or replaced with a six-lane boulevard,” 55 percent of voters said they prefer retaining I-81 in its current designation as a highway through Syracuse.
By contrast, only 18 percent of voters said they support rerouting I-81 and constructing a boulevard in its place. 18 percent said they are in favor of replacing the viaduct with a tunnel. And 8 percent of voters are undecided.
Once voters were briefed on the issue, they expressed particular concern that building a boulevard will cause staggering traffic congestion in Syracuse and hurt emergency response times throughout the region. An overwhelming 62 percent of respondents said increased traffic and slowed emergency response times gave them “major doubts” about the boulevard proposal.
“These poll results confirm what we have said all along – that the majority of Onondaga County and Syracuse residents are in favor of maintaining the status of I-81 as an interstate highway,” said Salina Town Supervisor and Save81.org member Mark Nicotra. “This unpopular boulevard plan should be eliminated so the community can focus on options that will work for everyone.”
Syracuse residents were as opposed to the boulevard as the rest of Onondaga County. Overall, only 19 percent of city residents favored a boulevard, compared with 18 percent in the rest of the county. In Syracuse, 48 percent supported maintaining I-81 as is; 23 percent supported a tunnel; 19 percent supported a boulevard; 8 percent were undecided; and 2 percent offered no response.
The poll, conducted from November 1-3 by The Parkside Group, surveyed 402 likely voters throughout the City of Syracuse/County of Onondaga. The study was modeled to reflect the likely voters in the November 5 general election. Live interviewers called via both landlines and cell lines. This poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percentage points.
About Save81.org
Save81.org is a diverse coalition of concerned residents, elected officials, employers, union members, and community groups that have come together as officials in Albany determine how to deal with the aging portions of I-81 in our area. Save81.org opposes a plan being considered to replace I-81 in Downtown Syracuse with a boulevard that would divert Interstate traffic away from the City and leave traffic congestion and air pollution in its place. For more information, visit Save81.org.
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