I-81 Northbound to Close Overnight at Exits 16A in the City of Syracuse
The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists of a traffic pattern change related to the I-81 Viaduct Project. Interstate 81 northbound lanes will close at exit 16A beginning Friday, November 17, starting at 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. Saturday morning, and close again on Monday and Tuesday, November 20 and 21, from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. The closures are necessary to facilitate the removal of steel bridge beams for the demolition of the I-481 southbound ramp bridge to I-81 southbound that crosses I-81 in the City of Syracuse.
Signed detours will be in place directing traffic traveling northbound on I-81 to exit 16A (I-481 North), to exit 1 (Brighton Ave Rock Cut Rd), to west on Rock Cut Road, to north on Brighton Avenue, to I-81 northbound. Southbound I-81 traffic will be directed to exit 17 (South Salina Street and Brighton Avenue), to south on Route 11, to I-81 southbound.
Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling through the work zone area and pay attention to all traffic control devices, including signs and flaggers.
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.
Ramp Closure: I-481 SB to I-81 SB

Effective Monday, September 25, around 9 a.m. the ramp from Interstate 481 southbound to Interstate 81 southbound in the City of Syracuse will close and reopen in the spring of 2025 as the re-designated I-81 southbound.
The closure is necessary to begin preparations for a newly constructed interchange that will convert I-481 into I-81 and create future Business Loop 81.
Message boards posted on I-481 southbound will direct detoured traffic to I-81 northbound at exit 17 (South Salina Street and Brighton Avenue). Detour signs will direct motorist to make a left onto East Calthrop Avenue and another left onto the entrance ramp of I-81 southbound.
Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling through the work zone area and pay attention to all traffic control devices, including signs and flaggers.
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.
Ramp Closure: I-81 SB to I-481 NB
The Interstate 81 southbound ramp at exit 16A, which provides access to Interstate 481 north, will close to traffic beginning around 9 a.m. on Monday, September 11, with the newly-aligned ramp expected to open in the spring of 2025.
The closure is necessary to begin preparations for a newly constructed interchange that will connect future Business Loop 81 southbound to the re-designated I-81 northbound.
Message boards posted on I-81 southbound will direct detoured traffic to exit 17 (South State and Salina Streets and Brighton Avenue) prior to the closed exit ramp. Detour signs will direct traffic from South State Street to Brighton Avenue and then to Rock Cut Road and I-481 northbound.

Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling through the work zone area and pay attention to all traffic control devices, including signs and flaggers.
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.