Development in and Around Syracuse Discussion

[KellySyracuse]

Berlin Wall? Where is the problem going east to west under the viaduct? Also I'm not sure how much gridlock occurs on the viaduct. As far as the razing of buildings, some will be razed no matter what they do. If the viaduct is taken down, we might be the only city to reroute a through the city interstate in the country. As Cheriehoop stated earlier, 81 runs from the Canadian border to Tennessee. It basically was a replacement for route 11. It's not just a local expressway or interstate spur. It's a major north/south interstate.

which should be replaced by 481, you make it sound like traffic would be diverted 50 miles around the city to accommodate. And do you even watch how many accidents and backups happen on the current viaduct today? There was one just this past Friday. You already said you didn't go to any of the DOT meetings, do you know how many buildings would need to be razed to put a new bridge there? Why would you want to hinder progress for CNYs biggest employers, SU and the hospitals to save 5 minutes?

 

[gocusecaz]

So there are many accidents on the viaduct daily. We should have torn that down years ago. I'm sure there are no accidents on the city streets. What business is hindered by the viaduct? I don't think there is any problem getting to the university or the hospitals now. It's not just about the 5 minute difference going from north to south or vice versa, it's about access to the city from all over the county and beyond.

 

[KellySyracuse]

So there are many accidents on the viaduct daily. We should have torn that down years ago. I'm sure there are no accidents on the city streets. What business is hindered by the viaduct? I don't think there is any problem getting to the university or the hospitals now. It's not just about the 5 minute difference going from north to south or vice versa, it's about access to the city from all over the county and beyond.

you argue with no facts to back it up. Do you yell at people to get off your lawn too?

 

[CuseOnly]

Berlin Wall? Where is the problem going east to west under the viaduct? Also I'm not sure how much gridlock occurs on the viaduct. As far as the razing of buildings, some will be razed no matter what they do. If the viaduct is taken down, we might be the only city to reroute a through the city interstate in the country. As Cheriehoop stated earlier, 81 runs from the Canadian border to Tennessee. It basically was a replacement for route 11. It's not just a local expressway or interstate spur. It's a major north/south interstate.

If you want to stay on an interstate from Canadia to go south of the city, take 481...it's about 3 minutes difference in total. This is a horrible argument for keeping the viaduct through the city.

 

[CuseOnly]

So there are many accidents on the viaduct daily. We should have torn that down years ago. I'm sure there are no accidents on the city streets. What business is hindered by the viaduct? I don't think there is any problem getting to the university or the hospitals now. It's not just about the 5 minute difference going from north to south or vice versa, it's about access to the city from all over the county and beyond.

Having the viaduct doesn't help anyone get anywhere in the city, are you nuts? This city isn't that big and the viaduct is like what 1.5 miles long.

Are you telling me that moving or changing a 1.5 mile long road (the elevated part) with really only 2-3 exits that actually take you into the city is going to change things that much? Really, you can get off at the Clinton street exit from 81 and drive through the entire city to the other side in about 5 minutes.

This is what makes this conversation a complete joke. We aren't talking about traversing midtown Manhattan here, it's a 5 minute drive through the city at worst.

 

[longtimefan]

What's amazing is that here in Vegas they're doing MAJOR highway construction and a area where there was zero room to do anything. The amazing part is that when a city knows something needs to be done they make plans that's best and gets it done. This thing in Syracuse has been talked about for 3 freaking years, it's become a joke.

I would guard against being too sanguine about the highway construction until the job is completed, and you can see how it affects daily transportation around town.

 

[shandeezy7]

Berlin Wall? Where is the problem going east to west under the viaduct? Also I'm not sure how much gridlock occurs on the viaduct. As far as the razing of buildings, some will be razed no matter what they do. If the viaduct is taken down, we might be the only city to reroute a through the city interstate in the country. As Cheriehoop stated earlier, 81 runs from the Canadian border to Tennessee. It basically was a replacement for route 11. It's not just a local expressway or interstate spur. It's a major north/south interstate.

There will be minimal if any buildings razed with the community grid option. Also, you make it seem like rerouting 81 is some big ordeal. It's not. The infrastructure is already in place and it literally adds 3 miles to the route. Anyone traveling from the Canadian border to Tennessee would not know the difference. At all. So don't even bother with that argument.

 

[gocusecaz]

At this point each side is locked in to what they think is best. Some people will be happy, some won't. It's a decision that hopefully that will be coming soon. Then we will see how it plays out.

 

[xc84]

So there are many accidents on the viaduct daily. We should have torn that down years ago. I'm sure there are no accidents on the city streets. What business is hindered by the viaduct? I don't think there is any problem getting to the university or the hospitals now. It's not just about the 5 minute difference going from north to south or vice versa, it's about access to the city from all over the county and beyond.

The grid makes it easier to get into downtown. There is still a highway ("81 spur") directly into downtown and the "exit" into the grid allows more traffic than the crappy exits from 81 now.

 

[shandeezy7]

The grid makes it easier to get into downtown. There is still a highway ("81 spur") directly into downtown and the "exit" into the grid allows more traffic than the crappy exits from 81 now.

Right, I'd be more worried about being in an ambulance and needing to get off at that terrible exit from 81S downtown during rush hour/a major event. That off-ramp routinely backs up a long way, and there are zero alternatives.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[CuseLegacy]

So are the fire chiefs coming to put out flames at Blaze Pizza.

 

[FasterCuse]

No mellow mushroom?!? Lol

 

[TexanMark]

No mellow mushroom?!? Lol

We have to earn our stripes: Gotta get Bojangles first. We are not worthy of Mellow Mushroom.

 

[skurey]

Blaze Pizza as in pizza with THC mixed in? That's a billion dollar business right there.

 

[CuseLegacy]

We have to earn our stripes: Gotta get Bojangles first. We are not worthy of Mellow Mushroom.

Y'all are getting there, Syracuse is finally getting a Chik-fil-A. That's a sign of southern encroachment.

 

[SU68]

I wonder how it will do competing with The Varsity?

 

[mountaincuse]

At this point each side is locked in to what they think is best. Some people will be happy, some won't. It's a decision that hopefully that will be coming soon. Then we will see how it plays out.

The problem is people thinking about themselves being happy with the outcome - this isn't about how your daily commute is impacted. That's shortsighted.

People need to think about what's best for the city as a whole - once people think about others and the big picture it's a pretty easy decision.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

I-81 tunnel: Project would take up to $4.5 billion, 10 years, long-awaited study says

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A $2 million study that examined whether a tunnel is an option to replace a section of aging highway in Syracuse has determined that it would be feasible but it would cost between $3 billion and $4.5 billion and take between nine and 10 years to build.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo had ordered the study in January to take an in-depth look again at whether a tunnel was feasible to replace a 1.2-mile section of Interstate-81 in Syracuse.

The Department of Transportation had earlier rejected the tunnel as a possibility, but it continues to be the favored alternative among some elected officials -- including State Sen. John DeFrancisco -- and some other groups in and around Syracuse.

The state instead moved forward with other possibilities for the highway, including rebuilding the existing viaduct or re-routing traffic onto the existing street grid and sending through traffic onto what is now Interstate 481.

In a statement announcing the study, the DOT said the study showed that a tunnel is "technically feasible" but costly. Rebuilding the viaduct would cost an estimated $1.7 billion and a grid would cost $1.3 billion...

 

[shandeezy7]

I-81 tunnel: Project would take up to $4.5 billion, 10 years, long-awaited study says

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A $2 million study that examined whether a tunnel is an option to replace a section of aging highway in Syracuse has determined that it would be feasible but it would cost between $3 billion and $4.5 billion and take between nine and 10 years to build.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo had ordered the study in January to take an in-depth look again at whether a tunnel was feasible to replace a 1.2-mile section of Interstate-81 in Syracuse.

The Department of Transportation had earlier rejected the tunnel as a possibility, but it continues to be the favored alternative among some elected officials -- including State Sen. John DeFrancisco -- and some other groups in and around Syracuse.

The state instead moved forward with other possibilities for the highway, including rebuilding the existing viaduct or re-routing traffic onto the existing street grid and sending through traffic onto what is now Interstate 481.

In a statement announcing the study, the DOT said the study showed that a tunnel is "technically feasible" but costly. Rebuilding the viaduct would cost an estimated $1.7 billion and a grid would cost $1.3 billion...

1.) This was a waste of $2 million
2.) It's a little puzzling how the grid option is only $400M cheaper than the rebuild. Is this factoring in the cost of the necessary improvements that would need to be made to 481?

 

[Fly Rodder]

"technically feasible" but costly.

You can have quick, cheap, or right - pick two.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

You can have quick, cheap, or right - pick two.

Anything is technically feasible if you throw enough money at it.

 

[OttoMets]

1.) This was a waste of $2 million
2.) It's a little puzzling how the grid option is only $400M cheaper than the rebuild. Is this factoring in the cost of the necessary improvements that would need to be made to 481?

Yep, it is. (I've always thought the two figures sound closer than they should, but NYSDOT swears it makes sense.)

How about the annual gift presented by the tunnel option: $10 million a year in maintenance. What a joke that this study was even commissioned.

 

[shandeezy7]

Yep, it is. (I've always thought the two figures sound closer than they should, but NYSDOT swears it makes sense.)

How about the annual gift presented by the tunnel option: $10 million a year in maintenance. What a joke that this study was even commissioned.

I mean...

John DeFrancisco: Interstate 81 study proves tunnel is feasible option