I-81 Travel Advisories

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that Interstate 81 southbound will be reduced to one lane between Exit 1B (East Glen Avenue) and Exit 78 (Onondaga Nation/Nedrow) in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., daily, beginning Wednesday, November 12, through Friday, November 14, to facilitate bridge work as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that Interstate 81 will be reduced to one lane at the following locations in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays, beginning Monday, November 10, through Tuesday, November 25, to facilitate work on the Bear Street bridge as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project:  

• Interstate 81 northbound between Exit 18 (Adams Street/Harrison Street) and Exit 23 (Park St/Hiawatha Blvd)

• Interstate 81 southbound between Exits 23A-23B-22 (Hiawatha Boulevard/ Destiny USA Drive/Bear Street) and Exit 20 (Franklin St/West St)

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

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.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the Interstate 81 southbound off-ramp to Exit 29S (Interstate 481 South/DeWitt) in the Town of Cicero, Onondaga County, will permanently close around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, to facilitate a new traffic pattern as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

Around 12 p.m., on Tuesday, November 4, motorists traveling on I-81 southbound to I-481 southbound should follow the overhead signs directing traffic to merge onto I-481 southbound using the left two lanes - just north of the South Bay Road bridge. In the future this traffic pattern will become the new I-81 southbound mainline. See attached map.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that Interstate 81 northbound will be reduced to one lane between Exit 17 (S Salina St/Brighton Ave) and Exit 18 (Adams Street/Harrison Street) in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays, beginning Tuesday, October 28, through Tuesday, November 25, to facilitate excavation for future Business Loop 81 northbound, as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the Kirkville Road eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 481 southbound in the Town of DeWitt, Onondaga County, will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., weekdays, beginning Friday, October 3, until early April 2026, to facilitate bridge work over the CSX railyard as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

Motorists are advised to follow the signed detour that directs traffic east on Kirkville Road, to I-481 northbound, to Exit 5W (Kirkville Rd), to west on Kirkville Road, to I-481 southbound.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists of the following traffic pattern changes planned for East Glen Avenue and East Brighton Avenue in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, to facilitate the switch from the current traffic alignment to the new traffic alignment as part of the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project.

• Traffic on East Glen Avenue will be shifted south to the new East Glen Avenue alignment connecting to the East Brighton Avenue northern roundabout on Monday, July 28. Additionally, a new East Glen Avenue on-ramp to I-81 southbound will open on Monday, July 28.
• The Interstate 481 southbound off-ramp to Interstate 81 northbound and the East Brighton Avenue on-ramp to I-81 northbound will permanently close at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 28, to facilitate the demolition of bridges along East Glen Avenue and East Brighton Avenue and to construct on-and-off-ramps at the new East Glen Avenue Bridge.
  • Motorists traveling on I-481 southbound to I-81 northbound are advised to follow the signed detour that directs traffic to Exit 1 (Brighton Ave), to East Glen Avenue, to I-81 southbound, to Exit 16 (Onondaga Nation/Nedrow), to south on U.S. Route 11, to I-81 northbound.
  • Motorists traveling on East Brighton Avenue to I-81 northbound are advised to follow the signed detour that directs traffic to East Glen Avenue, to I-81 southbound, to Exit 16 (Onondaga Nation/Nedrow) to south on U.S. Route 11, to I-81 northbound.
  • Motorists traveling on I-481 southbound to I-81 southbound are advised to follow the signed detour that directs traffic to Exit 1 (Brighton Ave), to East Glen Avenue, to I-81 southbound.

Beginning on Wednesday, August 20, at 6 a.m., the permanent alignment on East Glen Avenue and East Brighton Avenue will be fully operational. Traffic on I-481 southbound to I-81 northbound and East Brighton Avenue to I-81 northbound will no longer need to detour and should use the following traffic patterns:

• Traffic on I-481 southbound to I-81 northbound will use Exit 1 (Brighton Avenue), to East Glen Avenue, to I-81 northbound.
• Traffic on East Brighton Avenue to I-81 northbound will travel west on East Glen Avenue to I-81 northbound.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists of a traffic pattern change related to the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project. On Wednesday, June 11, at 7 a.m., Fineview Place, between Renwick Avenue and Standart Street, in the City of Syracuse, will permanently close to traffic in both directions. The alignment of Fineview Place between Renwick Avenue and Standard Street is being replaced by future Business Loop 81 and the closure is necessary to facilitate construction of the new roadway.

Additionally, East Raynor Avenue between Fineview Place and Henry Street will be closed in both directions beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11 and will reopen when Business Loop 81 northbound is complete and open to traffic.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists of a traffic pattern change related to the Interstate 81 Viaduct Project. On Wednesday, June 4, at 7 a.m. Renwick Avenue, between Martin Luther King East and Van Buren Street, in the City of Syracuse, will permanently close to traffic in both directions. The current alignment of Renwick Avenue is being replaced by future Business Loop 81 and the closure is necessary to facilitate construction of the new roadway.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that Interstate 81 southbound will be reduced to two lanes of traffic with one southbound lane being crossed over to northbound lanes between south of the I-81/Interstate 481 interchange and Exit 28 (Taft Rd/N Syracuse), in the Town of Cicero, Onondaga County, beginning on or about Tuesday, March 11, at 9 a.m. The lane reduction and crossover are necessary to facilitate the demolition of the Church Street bridge over I-81 southbound as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project and are expected to last until late November.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

Motorists are advised to follow the signed detour that directs southbound traffic north on South Bay Road, to south on Thompson Road, to south on Northern Boulevard, to north on Interstate 481, to Exit 10 (Circle Drive/North Syracuse), to east on Circle Drive, to South Bay Road.

Additionally, a temporary traffic signal will be installed at the northbound and southbound approaches of the South Bay Road bridge over I-81. Emergency vehicles traveling southbound on South Bay Road that need to cross the South Bay Road bridge will utilize a preemption system to clear the bridge of all traffic, allowing first responders to cross the bridge safely. 

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that on Friday, November 1, Bear Street will be closed between Sunset Avenue and Solar Street in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County and will reopen in the summer of 2025. The closure is necessary to demolish the Bear Street Bridge over I-81 and construct a new longer bridge that will accommodate the expanded future Business Loop 81 (existing I-81) as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

Motorists are advised to follow the signed detours:

• Westbound traffic will be directed to south on Lodi Street, to west on Court Street, to north on Solar Street, to west on Bear Street.

• Eastbound traffic will be directed to south on Solar Street to east on Court Street, to north on Lodi Street, to east on Bear Street.

• To access I-81 southbound, motorists traveling westbound on Bear Street should follow the signed detour south on Lodi Street, to west on Court Street, to south on Solar Street, to west on Spencer Street, to north on North Clinton Street, to west on Division Street, to I-81 southbound.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

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.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the on-ramp from Genant Drive to Interstate 81 southbound in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, will be closed beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, September 9, through the summer of 2025. The closure is necessary to facilitate the construction of on-and-off rampsfrom North Clinton Street to future Business Loop 81 southbound. 

Additionally, eastbound Bear Street West will be closed between Solar Street and Genant Drive.   

Motorists are advised to follow the signed detour that directs traffic south on Solar Street, to east on Court Street, to south on North Clinton Street, to east on West Division Street, to I-81 southbound.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedules.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, August 12, Interstate 690 eastbound will be reduced to two lanes of traffic from the junction with Interstate 81 southbound to Exit 14 (Teall Avenue) in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County. The lane reduction is expected to continue through the spring of 2025 and is necessary to facilitate the reconstruction of bridges over North Crouse Avenue and Lodi Street and the construction of a new on ramp from North Crouse Avenue to I-690 eastbound as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedules.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that Spencer Street will be closed at the bridge over Interstate 81 in the City of Syracuse, Onondaga County, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, July 15, with a newly constructed bridge opening in the summer of 2025. The closure is necessary to construct a longer bridge that will accommodate the expanded future Business Loop 81 (existing I-81) as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project.Motorists are advised to follow the signed detours:

•    Westbound traffic will be directed to North State Street, north on Lodi Street, west on Court Street, south on North Clinton Street, and west on Spencer Street.

•    Eastbound traffic will be directed to North Clinton Street, east on Court Street, south on Lodi Street, south on North State Street, and east on Spencer Street.

•    To access I-81 southbound, motorists traveling westbound on Spencer Street should follow the signed detour to North State Street, north on Lodi Street, west on Court Street, south on North Clinton Street, east on West Division Street, south on Genant Drive, to I-81 southbound.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedules.Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that Interstate 81 will be reduced to two lanes of traffic in each direction with northbound traffic being crossed over to southbound lanes between just south of the I-81/I-481 interchange and the South Bay Road bridge, in the Town of Cicero, Onondaga County, beginning on or about Monday, April 15, at 9 a.m.  

Additionally, beginning on or about Monday, April 15, at 9 a.m., the following ramps at the northern interchange of I-81/I-481 in the Town of Cicero, Onondaga County, will be closed to traffic.

• Exit 9S (I-81 southbound) entrance ramp from I-481 northbound to I-81 southbound.
• Motorists are advised to follow the signed detour to Exit 10 (Route 11 Circle Drive North Syracuse), to eastbound on East Circle Drive, to southbound on Frontage Road, to southbound on South Bay Road, to westbound on Bear Road, to State Route 481 southbound, to I-81 southbound.  
• Exit 9N (I-81 northbound) entrance ramp from I-481 southbound to I-81 northbound.
• Motorists are advised to follow the signed detour to Exit 8 (Northern Boulevard), to eastbound on Northern Boulevard, to I-481 northbound, to Exit 9N (I-81 northbound).  

The lane reduction, crossover, and ramp closures are necessary to facilitate a culvert replacement as part of the ongoing I-81 Viaduct Project and are expected to last until late October, weather permitting.

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.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on Facebook, Instagram, and X or visit our website.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that Interstate 481 southbound traffic will be crossed over to northbound lanes between south of the bridge over the CSX railyard and Exit 4 (I-690 West) in the Town of DeWitt, Onondaga County, beginning Monday, March 25, at 9 a.m. The crossover is necessary to facilitate the expansion of the bridge over Manlius Center Road as part of the I-81 Viaduct project and is expected to be in place through the end of November.

Construction activities are weather-dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

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.

Follow the I-81 Viaduct Project on X, formerly known as Twitter: @NYSDOTI81. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOTI81. 

The New York State Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that on or about Wednesday, December 13, at 9 a.m., Interstate 81 northbound will be reduced to a single lane between Exit 16A (Interstate 481 North DeWitt) and just north of the East Glen Avenue Bridge in the City of Syracuse, weather permitting. The lane reduction is necessary to facilitate the construction of a new bridge south of existing East Glen Avenue and will remain in place until the highway is redesignated as the new Business Loop 81 at the end of 2024. Signs will be in place alerting motorists of the lane closure.

Additionally, a newly reconstructed Exit 16A will also open to traffic on or about Wednesday, December 13, at 9 a.m., providing a two-lane connection from I-81 northbound to 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.

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.

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.