FHI Newsletter

The I-81 Dilemma

In cities throughout the nation, older highways, bridges, and ramps are nearing the end of their useful lives. Some are operating at or near capacity, causing traffic to snarl during the peak hours. Designed decades ago, some have insufficient lane widths and non-existent shoulders. Equally importantly, many older highways through cities were not designed to be sensitive to neighborhoods or to recognize the link between transportation corridors and land development. I-81 through Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse is no exception.

Freeway Interchange (I81 / I690 in Syracuse, NY)

I-81 Interchange with I-690 in Syracuse, NY (Courtesy of NYS DOT)

I-81 in upstate New York is a critical transportation link for the movement of both people and freight. It provides connections to major east-west corridors and also provides access to Syracuse University, hospitals, and downtown. Originally constructed in the 1950s and 1960’s, I-81 is showing signs of deterioration, especially on the 1.4-mile elevated viaduct section through downtown Syracuse.

So what do you do with a major highway that carries between 65,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day, but is past its prime? Renovate it? Reconstruct it? Re-route it? Tear it down and start again? The study team of Stantec, HDR and FHI are working with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to develop concepts for dealing with I-81 that address both transportation and community issues.

The project will be carried out in two parts:

Evaluate up to 5 options for I-81 from its southern interchange with I-481 to its interchange with I-481 north of Syracuse.
Identify a range of issues and alternatives for the elevated viaduct section of I-81 through downtown Syracuse, to be carried into future environmental analyses.

Currently, the study team is in the data collection stage. For our key roles in both land use and public outreach. FHI will be working closely with HDR to determine what impacts the proposed alternatives may have on land use and communities, and particularly on specific neighborhoods within the corridor.

FHI will also be working closely with NYSDOT and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) on public outreach activities to ensure that communities and neighborhoods within the corridor have an understanding of project objectives and are consulted with regard to vision and alternatives.

This is an exciting and fast-moving project! Check back regularly for more updates!


• Transportation Planning • Environmental Planning • Cultural Resource Services • • Public Involvement • Community & Site Planning • GIS/Technical •

In this Issue: From the Prez... Helping Kids Stay Safe...and Fit! Airport Projects Soar Sustainable Transit Facility Design The Interstate 81 Dilemma FHI Staff Notes	The I-81 Dilemma In cities throughout the nation, older highways, bridges, and ramps are nearing the end of their useful lives. Some are operating at or near capacity, causing traffic to snarl during the peak hours. Designed decades ago, some have insufficient lane widths and non-existent shoulders. Equally importantly, many older highways through cities were not designed to be sensitive to neighborhoods or to recognize the link between transportation corridors and land development. I-81 through Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse is no exception. I-81 Interchange with I-690 in Syracuse, NY (Courtesy of NYS DOT) I-81 in upstate New York is a critical transportation link for the movement of both people and freight. It provides connections to major east-west corridors and also provides access to Syracuse University, hospitals, and downtown. Originally constructed in the 1950s and 1960’s, I-81 is showing signs of deterioration, especially on the 1.4-mile elevated viaduct section through downtown Syracuse. So what do you do with a major highway that carries between 65,000 and 100,000 vehicles per day, but is past its prime? Renovate it? Reconstruct it? Re-route it? Tear it down and start again? The study team of Stantec, HDR and FHI are working with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to develop concepts for dealing with I-81 that address both transportation and community issues. The project will be carried out in two parts: Evaluate up to 5 options for I-81 from its southern interchange with I-481 to its interchange with I-481 north of Syracuse. Identify a range of issues and alternatives for the elevated viaduct section of I-81 through downtown Syracuse, to be carried into future environmental analyses. Currently, the study team is in the data collection stage. For our key roles in both land use and public outreach. FHI will be working closely with HDR to determine what impacts the proposed alternatives may have on land use and communities, and particularly on specific neighborhoods within the corridor. FHI will also be working closely with NYSDOT and the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) on public outreach activities to ensure that communities and neighborhoods within the corridor have an understanding of project objectives and are consulted with regard to vision and alternatives. This is an exciting and fast-moving project! Check back regularly for more updates!