NYSDOT closes Spencer Street bridge over I-81

Part of project on Syracuse’s North side, Inner Harbor areas                    

SYRACUSE — The Spencer Street bridge over Interstate 81 (I-81) in Syracuse is now closed, and a newly constructed bridge will open next summer. The closure is necessary to construct a longer bridge that will accommodate the expanded future Business Loop 81 (existing I-81) as part of the I-81 viaduct-replacement project, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) said in its announcement. The bridge closure is part of the third construction contract of the I-81 viaduct-replacement project that is targeting Syracuse’s North side and Inner Harbor area. New York State awarded the nearly $219 million contract to Salt City Constructors, LLC, per the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Contract work

NYSDOT says the third contract includes the construction of new on and off ramps to North Clinton Street from southbound I-81 (future Business Loop 81). It also involves a new bridge that will connect Bear Street to future Business Loop 81, improving access to the North side and Inner Harbor. The work will also involve replacing three bridges at Bear, Court, and Spencer Streets, which will be longer to accommodate the expanded future Business Loop 81. All three new bridges will include sidewalks, while shared-use paths will be included on the Court and Spencer Street bridges to accommodate both bicyclists and pedestrians, connecting them from the North side to the Inner Harbor. Additional contract elements include more than 700 new trees, decorative street lighting, improved access to the Empire State Trail, new traffic signals and safety improvements at the on-ramp from Bear Street to Interstate 690 westbound, NYSDOT said.

Spencer Street detours

In its announcement, NYSDOT advised drivers of the signed detours associated with the bridge closure. Westbound traffic will be directed to North State Street, north on Lodi Street, west on Court Street, south on North Clinton Street, and west on Spencer Street. Eastbound traffic will be directed to North Clinton Street, east on Court Street, south on Lodi Street, south on North State Street, and east on Spencer Street. To access I-81 southbound, motorists traveling westbound on Spencer Street should follow the signed detour to North State Street, north on Lodi Street, west on Court Street, south on North Clinton Street, east on West Division Street, south on Genant Drive, to I-81 southbound.