Interstate 690 Reconstruction
Contract 6 kicks off the second phase of the I-81 Viaduct Project and focuses on rebuilding Interstate 690 from Leavenworth Avenue to North Crouse Avenue, deconstructing and reconstructing its connections to future Business Loop 81 and a full interchange at North Crouse and Irving Avenues, with modified lane and shoulder widths helping to enhance safety and traffic flow. New ramps, bridges and retaining walls will also be built as part of the new interchanges between future Business Loop 81 and I-690.
The West Street interchange with I-690 will be reimagined as a pedestrian-friendly street-level corridor, with West Street lowered to meet West Genesee Street, reconnecting the Near Westside to downtown and the Onondaga Creekwalk.
25 local streets will be fully rehabilitated and reconstructed to include modernized sewer and water lines, along with decorative lighting, sidewalks, shared used paths and trees.
Additional enhancements as part of the continued build-out of the Community Grid include:
- Pearl Street will be extended to meet Erie Boulevard, and a second lane will be added on the entrance ramp to I-81 (future Business Loop 81) northbound, improving mobility for motorists leaving downtown.
- The existing West Street/Franklin Street and Clinton Street/Salina Street off-ramps along I-81 southbound (future Business Loop 81 southbound) will be removed and replaced with a consolidated two-lane off-ramp, with one lane leading to Oswego Boulevard, and one lane leading to Clinton Street. The Clinton Street off-ramp will also provide access to Franklin Street via Webster’s Landing. This is where the highway comes down to street-level from the north.
- North Clinton Street will be extended to meet Butternut Street.
- The Butternut Street bridge will be replaced to accommodate the modified future Business Loop 81 and will include a shared use path on its north side, safely linking pedestrians and bicyclists from the city’s Northside neighborhoods to downtown.