Cuomo expects I-81 project to start in 2022; McMahon calls it an “aggressive timeline”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo expects the $1.9 billion construction project to replace the Interstate 81 (I-81) viaduct in downtown Syracuse to break ground in 2022.

The governor announced the timeframe during the fourth section of his State of the State address on Thursday morning as he discussed ongoing transportation projects statewide.

The project will “connect communities and create opportunities for new residential and commercial development,” Cuomo’s office said.

When asked about the timeframe during his Thursday afternoon coronavirus briefing at the Oncenter, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said he heard Cuomo’s comment, but he “didn’t know about it in advance.”

“I think it’s an aggressive timeline but we’ll see. The governor puts out timelines and he pushed pretty hard,” said McMahon. “I’m interested to see how this comes together.”

The county executive also noted that the federal government still needs to approve the plan and confirm at least 80 percent of the funding for the project to break ground in 2022.

“If those things have already been accomplished, I’m not aware of it yet, but it’s certainly a major, major project that will likely impact our community for four, five, six, seven years,” said McMahon.