NYSDOT seeking contractors to begin first phase of I-81 project in Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is seeking firms interested in the first contract of the initial phase of the Interstate 81 (I-81) viaduct-replacement project in downtown Syracuse. 

NYSDOT on Oct. 21 issued a formal letter of intent for the first contract.

The contract has an estimated value of between $250 million and $300 million, per the letter of intent on the NYSDOT website.

“While procedural in nature, the letter is an important first step toward advancing this project to groundbreaking in 2022,” Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, said in an Oct. 21 statement. 

The first contract is related to the conversion of the section of I-81 between the southern I-81/I-481 interchange (16A) and the northern I-81/I-481 interchange (29) to Business Loop 81 (BL 81), and re-designation of the existing I-481 as I-81, per the letter. 

The public-comment period, which ended Oct. 14, generated 7,500 comments on the draft environmental impact statement, “an amazing demonstration of the project’s importance to the entire Central New York Region,” Dominguez said. 

NYSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration will review and respond to each comment, which Dominguez said will help to shape the final environmental impact statement. The agencies expect to share that document with the public in early 2022.

State officials favor the community grid alternative for the project, which would deconstruct a section of I-81 in downtown Syracuse and redirect highway traffic to I- 481. A portion of I-690 near the current intersection with I-81 would also be rebuilt and a boulevard-like Business Loop 81would be created in downtown.

NYSDOT also noted that it will keep the public informed “every step of the way” as it continues work on the I-81 project.