Syracuse I-81 freeway transformation clears legal hurdle
The demolition and replacement of Syracuse’s I-81 viaduct with a “community grid” cleared a key legal hurdle, as a New York State court unanimously overturned a lower court ruling blocking the project.
The February 9 decision apparently opens the door for one of the nation’s most important transformation plans for an in-city Interstate highway. CNU has supported the project since 2008, when I-81 was placed on the organization’s first Freeways Without Futures list.
The project began construction last summer on work related to the highway’s new route around the city, but the elevated viaduct that divides the city's heart remains intact. The court ruling will expedite the viaduct demolition, which is expected to spur development near downtown.
Project opponents—most based in towns outside of the city—still can appeal to the state’s highest court, but the unanimous ruling means the freeway transformation will likely win. The ongoing litigation cast a pall over planning efforts by the city, which strongly supports the project.
The city hired the new urbanist firm Dover, Kohl & Partners in 2022 to lead a visioning effort for alternative visions to initial plans proposed by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT). The Dover Kohl draft vision plan is expected to be publicly presented later this month.
There remain many questions about what a “community grid” looks like, and we will soon see what Syracuse has in mind—based on extensive public participation and feedback.
DOT’s initial drawings showed a wide arterial thoroughfare—not what urbanists would call pedestrian-oriented.
Syracuse is pushing for a community grid that is walkable and connected, as reflected in Dover Kohl’s work. "In their initial drawings, they've addressed many areas of opportunity for us, and articulated a vision that speaks to much of what we had hoped to see," says Joe Driscoll, the "I-81 Czar" for the city.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who supports the project, praised the court’s decision on social media.
