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170 West Brighton Follow-Up

The building at West Brighton is still standing despite a meeting last week to discuss its destruction. However, the area has gotten safer according to Cannon Street community center director Denise Moore. There has been no crime in the building since the meeting, according to Moore. The meeting is not responsible for the change, said Moore. She attributes the change to people wanting the area to change for the better. The positive influence of the center has rubbed off on the neighborhood, said Moore.

170 West Brighton

2 Billions Dollar Construction Project

Syracuse Common Councilor Van Robinson is the man leading the effort to tear down interstate 81. Robinson said the entire construction process will cost around two billion dollars. He says that the federal government will pay for 80 percent of the project and the state will pay for 20. "No in fact the department of transportation says they can not give you a dollar figure until they know exactly what they're doing. They don't want to commit themselves," said Robinson when asked about an exact price.
Nineteen companies have given bids to run a study on the effects of removing I-81. The council will be accepting proposals until August fifth. Once a proposal is chosen the study could take around two years to finish. Robinson says he hopes to have I-81 gone by 2015. Robinson expects the removal of the highway would bring a big economic boost to the city of Syracuse.

Robinson Says "Progress" On Interstate Reconstruction

The man leading the charge to demolish and reconfigure Interstate 81 in Syracuse says progress is being made. Proposals studying the effects of removing the highway have started coming in, said Common Counclior-at-Large Van Robinson. The city sent out requests for proposals from over 100 companies and have already received 19 back, according to Robinson. Robinson has long been involved in the effort to destroy I-81. The highway is very unsafe according to Robinson. "I've heard from so many experts who've said they're amazed that we have not had many fatalities [on] the highway," said Robinson. However, the actual removal and reconstruction of I-81 is still years away.

Remove Or Rebuild I-81

Councilor Van Robinson held a news conference on the potential removal of Interstate 81. The Metropolitan Transit Council has issued requests for proposals to state and national companies, and so far nineteen proposals have been returned. Proposals must be submitted by August 5Th, but the highway is not expected to be torn down anytime soon.

"This highway is at the end of its life expectancy, Robinson says, "and if nothing is done, the highway is just going to fall down on its own." http://www.syracuse.ny.us/ccatlarge1.asp

Safety is Robinson's number one concern. He says officials have reported that chunks of cement have fallen off Interstate 81, yet its removal is not expected until 2015. Robinson is surprised that more fatalities have not occurred on the highway.

I-81 Removal Project

At a news conference on Wednesday, Councilor-at-Large Van Robinson announced that he has made progress on his I-81 removal plan. Proposals to study the project have been sent out to 100 consulting companies, and 19 have already been returned.

Robinson, who has dubbed the interstate as Syracuse's "Berlin Wall", said the city has been separated between it's East and West sides.

"No where is it more apparent than when you are on the University campus looking down, seeing how the highway has totally divided the city from East to West," Robinson stated.

Robinson's proposed I-81 removal project will reroute the highway around the city. The removal will reunite the city and stimulate Syracuse's economy.

"By having it come down, you improve the property values around the I-81 corridor," he said.

The reconstruction plan will also encourage the use of mass transportation, relieve traffic congestion and help the Emerald City better control it's pollution. The use of public transportation has increased by 30 percent, and Robinson expects this number to multiply pending the approval of the project.

The company proposals are due by August 5th. One company will then be selected to study the proposed project. Robinson says I-81 does not meet safety standards and will need improvements soon. If the project is approved, the rerouting plan is expected to be completed by 2015.

For resident reactions and comments about the proposed removal, click here.

Proposals for I-81 Coming In

At a news conference, Councilor Van Robinson said 19 bids have come into the Syracuse Metro Transit Council to be part of the study that would give insight into the Interstate-81 project. The study will help give feedback to the Council on how the removal of I-81 will impact the community and what other alternatives would be available.

"The road has come to the end of its life expectancy, if we do nothing it will fall down on its own," says Robinson. "We have no other alternatives."

Robinson says he has the support of his colleague's even though others have concerns. Those concerns will be addressed in the study. Robinson will stop taking bids on August 5th and it will take thirty to sixty days for any decision to be made. If the removal of I-81 is approved, it will not start for a couple of years.