New York builders awarded $251M contract on I-81 viaduct

A staff of New York-based builders secured the ultimate contract for part one on a significant infrastructure job in Syracuse, in response to a information launch from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s workplace.

The New York State DOT awarded a $251 million contract to Salt City Constructors for the subsequent part of the $2.25 billion I-81 Viaduct project. The general initiative goals to reconnect downtown neighborhoods within the Syracuse space that had been initially severed by the I-81 viaduct’s building within the Nineteen Fifties.

Scope for this contract contains elimination of a number of spans of the present viaduct and initiates the transformation of I-81’s southern stretch into Enterprise Loop 81, in response to the information launch.

The work will decrease the freeway to avenue stage between Colvin and Burt streets; add curved roadways, narrower lanes and landscaped medians; and set up new visitors indicators, sidewalks, crosswalks and devoted bike lanes. A brand new roundabout at Van Buren Avenue and Enterprise Loop 81 may even intention to sluggish autos as they strategy downtown Syracuse.

Salt Metropolis Constructors is a combined entity of three contractors, all based mostly in New York state: L&T Building of Richmondville, D.A. Collins Building in Wilton and Chilly Spring Building of Akron.

“New York state is doing extra to put money into infrastructure tasks which can be basically reworking communities throughout the state,” mentioned Marie Therese Dominguez, New York State DOT commissioner, within the launch. “Right now’s announcement is additional proof that we’re shifting full velocity forward on this transformative undertaking.”

As a part of the conversion, crews may even construct a blue-painted metal railroad bridge to hold the New York Susquehanna and Western Railway over Enterprise Loop 81, and assemble a brand new northbound off-ramp to Colvin Avenue to enhance entry to downtown, Syracuse College and its south campus.

“With the fifth and last contract now awarded for Section 1 of the I-81’s transformation we’ve got by no means been nearer to realizing the dream of a reconnected Syracuse,” mentioned U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer within the launch. “This contract will take away parts of the viaduct and indicators that wheels are in movement to comprehend town’s imaginative and prescient for a group grid to higher join Syracuse to a brighter future.”

Salt City Constructors previously won the first and third contracts on the multi-phase viaduct substitute effort. Comprising eight separate contracts, exercise on the general I-81 undertaking started within the spring of 2023. With this newest award, all 5 phase-one contracts at the moment are below building, in response to the discharge.

Work is predicted to start instantly and anticipated to be complete by mid-2027, in response to the discharge. As soon as two-thirds full, the viaduct will near visitors south of Harrison Avenue.

The I-81 Viaduct undertaking is the biggest ever by the New York State DOT. The undertaking is being funded by means of a mixture of state and federal sources below a $33 billion capital plan accredited in 2022.