In May, the Onondaga County Legislature passed a unanimous, bipartisan city and suburban resolution rejecting a plan to construct a “boulevard” though Syracuse and re-route Interstate 81 to the east, away from the city. The boulevard scheme is one option being considered by the NYS Department of Transportation officials for handling the aging I-81 infrastructure which will reach the end of its useful life in 2017.
The Onondaga County resolution calls on decision-makers to choose a plan for rehabilitating I-81 that maintains the highway’s current alignment and Interstate Highway designation through the region. Numerous towns throughout the Central New York region have spoken up with similar resolutions, including the towns of Salina, DeWitt, Owasco, Skaneateles, Sennett and Fleming, as well as the Cayuga County Legislature.
Onondaga County leaders believe that altering I-81’s traffic flow through the region would undermine the region’s economy, accessibility and public safety.
Read the Onondaga County Legislature’s resolution here.
Photo Source:
Lassman, David. “Large Aerial.” Photo. Syracuse.com 21 Jul. 20015. 18 Jul. 2013