From Atlantic Cities:
A 1.4-mile long portion of Interstate 81 that runs through Syracuse, New York, could finally come down in 2017, when it reaches the end of its functional life. The deteriorating elevated roadway has long been eyed for demolition, frequently pointed to as one of the worst offenders in a class of 1960s era urban highway projects that are accused of effectively creating a dividing wall within cities.
A design studio and real estate seminar last semester at Syracuse University had students explore funding mechanisms, ownership structures, and the overall redevelopment potential of design alternatives for I-81, known locally as the Viaduct. …
Last fall, a wide range of local politicians wrote a group letter to the New York State Department of Transportation commissioner, calling the Viaduct’s approaching expiration as a “once in a lifetime opportunity to re-think and re-plan for a major piece of infrastructure.” While the commissioner says it would be great if it came down, money may be an issue. Merely repairing the current road, the cheapest option, would cost $500 million. The state estimates any alternative option would cost as much as $1.9 billion.
New York State is currently soliciting bids from engineering firms interested in coming up with solutions, including proposals for either tearing down the Viaduct or replacing it. That has some suburban business owners concerned that a political pro-downtown bias will make for an I-81 that won’t generate enough traffic — aka customers — for them. …
