Interstate 81 in Syracuse

[vdeane]

I took a look, and the plans for contract 6 are up!  Signage and the staging for each "phase" of work begin on part 3 of 4 of the RFP plans (part 6 of the final RFP).  Looks like West Street will be exit 15A in both directions, even though there won't be an exit 15B eastbound.  Also of interest is that I-690 EB will be closed through most of this work.

I discovered an interesting situation with the I-81 project when I was checking a few things out yesterday.  On future BL 81, the SB ramp to Glen St is open - but not signed.  Meanwhile, a sign for the N Clinton St exit is up... even though it doesn't look like it will be opening in the near term.  In other interesting news, the signs for SB exit 96 all have temporary patches for "NY 481 south".

Yep...just drove past it again today.  Very frustrating.  I should find out more about the situation this week on the lack of signage.

I think I saw a sign near the ground there, so hopefully soon.  Still, it would have been nice if it was there when I was out getting pictures!

[Rothman]

I think someone mentioned the uncovered BL-81 shield?  Anyway, saw it this past weekend on a sign assembly at the northern interchange between I-81 and I-481 on I-481 NB after taking the I-81 NB to I-/NY 481 NB ramp.

I think I've also heard the shield will be covered again soon...

(personal opinion emphasized)

[The Ghostbuster]

Given the mess that both the under-reconstruction roadway and a mixture of signage with old exit numbers and new ones, it's a wonder anyone can make their way through the Syracuse area. Even using Google Maps Street View through Syracuse is a chore. The reconstruction and exit renumbering project will be worth it, and once it is finished, there shouldn't be any more confusion, but until then, it will be a colossal mess.

[vdeane]

I think someone mentioned the uncovered BL-81 shield?  Anyway, saw it this past weekend on a sign assembly at the northern interchange between I-81 and I-481 on I-481 NB after taking the I-81 NB to I-/NY 481 NB ramp.

I think I've also heard the shield will be covered again soon...

(personal opinion emphasized)

Is there a point to having it covered, given that the exit in question is currently closed?  Will the ramp even be open before the designation swap happens?  I noticed that exit 1A of BL 81 isn't bothering with this.

[Rothman]

I think someone mentioned the uncovered BL-81 shield?  Anyway, saw it this past weekend on a sign assembly at the northern interchange between I-81 and I-481 on I-481 NB after taking the I-81 NB to I-/NY 481 NB ramp.

I think I've also heard the shield will be covered again soon...

(personal opinion emphasized)

Is there a point to having it covered, given that the exit in question is currently closed?  Will the ramp even be open before the designation swap happens?  I noticed that exit 1A of BL 81 isn't bothering with this.

Just compliance with FHWA's wishes, I believe.

It is my understanding that both the northern and southern interchanges are scheduled to be fully operational by the end of the year...with more outstanding finish-up work at the southern interchange than the northern.  CSX bridge won't be done until next fall.

That all said, there's a lot of work to be done still at the southern interchange in my opinion...and it's almost November...

(personal opinion emphasized)

[vdeane]

I just got all my photos from my Columbus Day weekend trip up on my website.  Some interesting observations:
-"Begin speed limit 55" - not the usual, but to be fair, the sign used to say 65 (and will presumably go away when construction finishes here), and the work zone speed limit through the interchange is 45 (!).
-I think it's interesting that Watertown isn't used as a control city around I-690, especially given that it's used at the southern interchange.  Given that it's all new sign structures, shifted to the Thruway shield, and updated the exit numbers, I don't understand why it was suddenly "replace in kind" with respect to not having a control city. The same thing happens on I-690.
-Speaking of I-690, there's some signage for exit 19, but it's far from comprehensive.
-This mileage sign is essentially the same as the one it replaced except Oswego was replaced with Cicero.
-The southbound signage at the northern interchange is a big of a mess.  NY 481 south?  I-81 south on the left until you get to the split?  The patch job until the designation swap happens needs work.  I'm also not sure why it says "1/2 mile" given that the split will literally be at the very next gantry.
-"Work zone speed limit 65"
-Exit 3 has been put into its new configuration, but interesting that they just covered the W in 3W rather than putting in the new gore, considering the rest of the signage all says exit 86.
-Future BL 81 uses new exit numbers all the way down to North Clinton Street, which is signed (well, it is here) despite not being open, while SB exit 1B (Glen Avenue) was open but not signed (not sure if that's changed or not).
-There's an unpatched sign for I-81 at the southern interchange.  Makes it interesting that the closed ramps at the northern interchange are patched, although they might open before the southern interchange does.

[Michael]

About two weeks ago, I noticed that there was new Street View imagery at various points around Syracuse and the I-81 project.  I was impressed that the imagery was dated October 2025!  The most dramatic change for me was around Bear and Court Street.

Last week, I noticed that ACME Mapper now has more recently updated aerial imagery than Google Maps once you zoom in enough.  ACME Mapper uses ESRI imagery, and based on the fact that NY 695 and part of NY 5 has new pavement, I'm guessing the imagery is from this past summer.

Lastly, on Tuesday, the new ramp at the northern interchange from I-81 south to I-481 south opened.  Google Maps still shows the loop, so I wonder how many people are doing last minute lane changes.

[Rothman]

*knows a funny story about someone who didn't follow the signs but can't tell it*

A story for a meet, I suppose.

[Rothman]

The McBride St onramp to I-690 EB is now closed and the new Crouse Ave onramp to I-690 EB is open.

[vdeane]

I saw today that the NB exit 90 gore sign has been installed, as have some milemarkers along future I-81.  MP 90.9 is just north of the bridge over the Thruway, which is 0.1 miles north of where I would have expected based on where MP 103 is.  Now I'm really curious how they're going reconcile things, because working backwards from MP 90.9, this would be MP 81.4, even though it was signed MP 82 before the start of work at the southern interchange and all tenth mile markers south of there line up with that.

I didn't happen to see if there are any mile markers or new gore signs yet on future BL 81, but that's harder to observe from the Thruway.

Looking at the traffic cameras, the jersey barriers around North Clinton St are gone with just cones (and maybe some line striping), so that's getting closer to opening.  I presume exit 21 will close when it does.  Also looking at the traffic cameras and 511 notices, is the northern interchange fully reopened?  I don't see any cones by the exit 1A loop ramp, and there are fewer closed markers there than they were before.

[Rothman]

I saw today that the NB exit 90 gore sign has been installed, as have some milemarkers along future I-81.  MP 90.9 is just north of the bridge over the Thruway, which is 0.1 miles north of where I would have expected based on where MP 103 is.  Now I'm really curious how they're going reconcile things, because working backwards from MP 90.9, this would be MP 81.4, even though it was signed MP 82 before the start of work at the southern interchange and all tenth mile markers south of there line up with that.

I didn't happen to see if there are any mile markers or new gore signs yet on future BL 81, but that's harder to observe from the Thruway.

Looking at the traffic cameras, the jersey barriers around North Clinton St are gone with just cones (and maybe some line striping), so that's getting closer to opening.  I presume exit 21 will close when it does.  Also looking at the traffic cameras and 511 notices, is the northern interchange fully reopened?  I don't see any cones by the exit 1A loop ramp, and there are fewer closed markers there than they were before.

The exit numbering was set in a NYSDOT spreadsheet some time ago.  I doubt full reconciliation will be had.

(personal opinion emphasized)

[vdeane]

I saw today that the NB exit 90 gore sign has been installed, as have some milemarkers along future I-81.  MP 90.9 is just north of the bridge over the Thruway, which is 0.1 miles north of where I would have expected based on where MP 103 is.  Now I'm really curious how they're going reconcile things, because working backwards from MP 90.9, this would be MP 81.4, even though it was signed MP 82 before the start of work at the southern interchange and all tenth mile markers south of there line up with that.

I didn't happen to see if there are any mile markers or new gore signs yet on future BL 81, but that's harder to observe from the Thruway.

Looking at the traffic cameras, the jersey barriers around North Clinton St are gone with just cones (and maybe some line striping), so that's getting closer to opening.  I presume exit 21 will close when it does.  Also looking at the traffic cameras and 511 notices, is the northern interchange fully reopened?  I don't see any cones by the exit 1A loop ramp, and there are fewer closed markers there than they were before.

The exit numbering was set in a NYSDOT spreadsheet some time ago.  I doubt full reconciliation will be had.

(personal opinion emphasized)

I wasn't thinking of exit numbers, but rather how the miles would line up on a continuous sequence (I also include mileage on my site's exit lists, so it would be nice to know what to put for all the exits in Onondaga County).  But speaking of exit numbers, counting up from MM 90.9 gives us MM 94.9 for exit 95, and counting down all the way to Region 9 would result in reverting exits 67 and 63 back to 66 and 62 (given the comments that were made at the time the change happened, I'm not sure that Region 3 is aware that the milemarkers on I-81 counted faster than the actual mileage through Cortland County and then slower through Oswego, balancing each other out; now that Oswego follows the actual mileage more or less, that's causing the extra count from Cortland to be more of an issue).

Exit 81 is arguably still right in any case, at least northbound, given the "ramp diverges up to MM X.99 is exit X" rule that seems to be used in many places.

[Henry]

About two weeks ago, I noticed that there was new Street View imagery at various points around Syracuse and the I-81 project.  I was impressed that the imagery was dated October 2025!  The most dramatic change for me was around Bear and Court Street.

Last week, I noticed that ACME Mapper now has more recently updated aerial imagery than Google Maps once you zoom in enough.  ACME Mapper uses ESRI imagery, and based on the fact that NY 695 and part of NY 5 has new pavement, I'm guessing the imagery is from this past summer.

Lastly, on Tuesday, the new ramp at the northern interchange from I-81 south to I-481 south opened.  Google Maps still shows the loop, so I wonder how many people are doing last minute lane changes.

I just saw the new interchange that includes both the loop and new ramps. My guess is, they'll start removing the ramp for its redundancy unlike what happened at the Springfield Interchange, where the old Inner Loop-to-95-South ramp was retained for an exit to a local road. As the south end of I-481 is still being worked on, it'll also remain Future I-81 until that junction is complete and opened to traffic.

[roadman65]

Even though I'm against the whole viaduct removal and thinking it will reunite the city, I'm excited to see the finished product of the interchanges and new signage on I-481 ( future I-81).

I also can't wait to see if NYSTA removes Binghamton from the Exit 36 guides when I-81 moves and BL I-81 takes over. Plus to see if NTSTA retains Oswego for the control city for Future I-81 or they will replace it with Watertown.

[vdeane]

About two weeks ago, I noticed that there was new Street View imagery at various points around Syracuse and the I-81 project.  I was impressed that the imagery was dated October 2025!  The most dramatic change for me was around Bear and Court Street.

Last week, I noticed that ACME Mapper now has more recently updated aerial imagery than Google Maps once you zoom in enough.  ACME Mapper uses ESRI imagery, and based on the fact that NY 695 and part of NY 5 has new pavement, I'm guessing the imagery is from this past summer.

Lastly, on Tuesday, the new ramp at the northern interchange from I-81 south to I-481 south opened.  Google Maps still shows the loop, so I wonder how many people are doing last minute lane changes.

I just saw the new interchange that includes both the loop and new ramps. My guess is, they'll start removing the ramp for its redundancy unlike what happened at the Springfield Interchange, where the old Inner Loop-to-95-South ramp was retained for an exit to a local road. As the south end of I-481 is still being worked on, it'll also remain Future I-81 until that junction is complete and opened to traffic.

That ramp is already gone.  They had the traffic cameras pointed there a couple days ago and you couldn't even tell there was ever a ramp there.  Impressive.  Google's removed the closure notices (aside from the old ramp, which they haven't yet updated with its removal) and I saw a car using the new ramp on 511, so it appears that the northern interchange is fully open.

[Rothman]

About two weeks ago, I noticed that there was new Street View imagery at various points around Syracuse and the I-81 project.  I was impressed that the imagery was dated October 2025!  The most dramatic change for me was around Bear and Court Street.

Last week, I noticed that ACME Mapper now has more recently updated aerial imagery than Google Maps once you zoom in enough.  ACME Mapper uses ESRI imagery, and based on the fact that NY 695 and part of NY 5 has new pavement, I'm guessing the imagery is from this past summer.

Lastly, on Tuesday, the new ramp at the northern interchange from I-81 south to I-481 south opened.  Google Maps still shows the loop, so I wonder how many people are doing last minute lane changes.

I just saw the new interchange that includes both the loop and new ramps. My guess is, they'll start removing the ramp for its redundancy unlike what happened at the Springfield Interchange, where the old Inner Loop-to-95-South ramp was retained for an exit to a local road. As the south end of I-481 is still being worked on, it'll also remain Future I-81 until that junction is complete and opened to traffic.

That ramp is already gone.  They had the traffic cameras pointed there a couple days ago and you couldn't even tell there was ever a ramp there.  Impressive.  Google's removed the closure notices (aside from the old ramp, which they haven't yet updated with its removal) and I saw a car using the new ramp on 511, so it appears that the northern interchange is fully open.

Not quite.  Getting there, though.

[webny99]

Curious if anyone has had a chance to check out progress on the I-481 improvements (especially from Exits 3-6) or northern/southern interchanges recently. Must be getting close. As much as I'm not overly excited about the project overall, I am excited for a continuous I-81 with mileage-based exit numbers.

I must confess the new signage on I-81 south of Nedrow is pretty great. I'd probably even go so far as to call it the gold standard.

[cu2010]

R3's signage in general has been pretty top notch the past decade or so. Easily the best in the state, and it's not close. It's too bad other regions can't do it consistently right (or, in R7's case, generally right at all).

[Rothman]

Keep in mind the official route switchover won't happen for a while due to alleged needed congressional action.

I am sure weather isn't helping matters in obtaining the original schedule of the northern interchange being fully operational by the end of the year.

(personal opinion emphasized)

[The Ghostbuster]

That's a shame. If it were up to me, I would do it sooner rather than later.

[Beltway]

It makes me sick to my stomach to see supposedly highway knowledgeable people championing this project.

[The Ghostbuster]

I would've preferred the viaduct stay up and be improved to modern design standards. However, they chose to tear it down and reroute 81 onto 481's route.

[kalvado]

It makes me sick to my stomach to see supposedly highway knowledgeable people championing this project.

in before @Rothman says it:

[ yawn ]

[Beltway]

It makes me sick to my stomach to see supposedly highway knowledgeable people championing this project.

in before @Rothman says it:
[Technicolor yawn ]

We see how regional congestion seriously increased when a 32,000 AADT freeway was severed in Baltimore -- and traffic didn't just go "poof!"

Now we're talking about severing an 80,000 AADT urban freeway.

[Rothman]

 

It makes me sick to my stomach to see supposedly highway knowledgeable people championing this project.

in before @Rothman says it:
[Technicolor yawn ]

We see how regional congestion seriously increased when a 32,000 AADT freeway was severed in Baltimore -- and traffic didn't just go "poof!"

Now we're talking about severing an 80,000 AADT urban freeway.

My turn:

*yawn*