Syracuse debates tearing down its 'Berlin Wall'

The elevated Interstate 81 lies above the gritty downtown of Syracuse, New York, like an immense basilisk. The highway's noise, grungy concrete, and particulates enforce an anti-people zone in the heart of the city. It has been called Syracuse's "Berlin Wall," dividing neighborhoods and the city by race. Now, the 1.4-mile-long Syracuse "viaduct" is crumbling and nearing the end of its useful life. Officials must decide whether to tear it down or spend upwards of a half billion dollars — mostly federal money — to replace it, according to a report on NPR. Removing the highway would spur significant development, a State University of New York study finds. But a project manager for the state DOT raises fears that local streets could not handle the traffic.

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