I-690 Bridge Rehabilitation Project In Syracuse To Start April 1

ALBANY, NY (03/22/2013)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald announced that bridge rehabilitation work is expected to begin on April 1 on 11 bridges in and around the I-690 interchange with West Street, located just west of downtown Syracuse, in Onondaga County. This project, which will take place during the 2013 and 2014 construction seasons, meets the goals of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Drivers First initiative to ensure that construction causes the least impact to motorists.

"This project will make critical infrastructure improvements in the Syracuse area," said Commissioner McDonald. "Rehabilitating these 11 bridges will provide a better transportation system for motorists using this busy interchange."

Eight of the 11 bridges will receive minor rehabilitations, with work including deck and parapet concrete repairs, thin concrete deck overlays, replacement of deck joints and bearings, painting of the steel girders and substructure repairs. Not all items of work will take place on every bridge. The bridges carrying mainline eastbound and westbound I-690 over Onondaga Creek, as well as westbound I-690 over North Salina Street, will have their decks replaced with pre-cast concrete panels; other work will include bearing replacement, painting and substructure repairs. Detours will be needed for all phases of work.

This year's work includes:

Phase I:

Work areas: The right lane of the bridge carrying northbound West Street over West Genesee Street will be closed. This will prevent access from northbound West Street to eastbound I-690 and Herald Place.

Duration: Approximately six weeks, April 1 to mid-May.

Signed Detours:

• Northbound West Street to eastbound I-690: Northbound West Street ramp to westbound I-690. Exit at Geddes Street, turn left. Turn left onto ramp to eastbound I-690.

• Northbound West Street to Herald Place: Northbound West Street ramp to westbound I-690. Exit at Geddes Street, turn left. Turn left onto West Genesee Street, then continue easterly and turn left onto Wallace Street.

Phase II:

Work area: Westbound I-690 between the exit to northbound I-81 and West Street. This also requires the ramp from northbound I-81 to westbound I-690 be closed, and will prevent access to the exits for West Street and Geddes Street.

Duration: Up to two weeks, June.

Signed Detours:

• For Westbound thru traffic: Westbound I-690 to northbound I-81; continue north on I-81 to Seventh North Street (Exit 25); right turn at end of ramp; right turn onto southbound I-81; continue south to Bear Street (Exit 22). Follow service road then turn right onto Bear Street; Bear Street leads back to a ramp to westbound I-690.

• For Westbound traffic to Geddes Street: Westbound I-690 to northbound I-81; continue north on I-81 to Seventh North Street (Exit 25); right turn at end of ramp; right turn onto southbound I-81; continue south to Bear Street (Exit 22). Follow service road then turn right onto Bear Street; turn left onto Spencer Street; Spencer Street leads to Geddes Street.

• For Westbound traffic to West Street: Westbound I-690 to northbound I-81; continue north on I-81 to Seventh North Street (Exit 25); right turn at end of ramp; right turn onto southbound I-81; follow signs back to West Street (Exit 20).

• For Northbound I-81 to Westbound I-690: continue north on I-81 to Seventh North Street (Exit 25); right turn at end of ramp; right turn onto southbound I-81; continue south to Bear Street (Exit 22). Follow service road then turn right onto Bear Street; Bear Street leads back to a ramp to westbound I-690.

Motorists should be prepared for heavier than normal traffic on I-81, I-690 and surface streets in the downtown Syracuse area.

Phase III:

Work area: The center and left lanes of the bridge carrying Northbound West Street over West Genesee Street. This will prevent access from northbound West Street to Westbound I-690.

Duration: Approximately six weeks, September through October.

Signed Detour: Northbound West Street ramp to eastbound I-690, exit onto northbound Thompson Road (Exit 16N), then, staying in right lane, return to westbound I-690.

Creekwalk:

In addition to the highway restrictions shown above, the Onondaga Creekwalk will be closed between West Genesee Street and Plum Street, from March 26 to October 31. This is necessary due to the construction work taking place on the bridges adjacent to and over the Creekwalk. A signed detour using North Franklin and Plum Streets will direct pedestrians and bicyclists around the work area.

As part of the Drivers First initiative developed by the Governor last year, the project plans went through rigorous review to ensure that construction will have the least possible impact to the traveling public. Drivers First requires that capital construction road and bridge projects are reviewed to ensure that work has the least impact possible on highway users.

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