transportation

Options narrow, opinions widen on I-81's future through Syracuse

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:42:52 +0000

Transportation planners have narrowed the future of Interstate 81’s path through downtown Syracuse down to two likely options: rebuild, or re-route.

20 year high expected for commercial traffic on canals

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:13:22 +0000

While often seen as an economic lifeline of another era, New York's canals are poised to have a big year for moving freight; almost two centuries after goods were first transported on the upstate New York waterway.

Some Southern Tier air traffic towers facing closure

Matt Richmond — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:41:14 +0000

The regional airports in Ithaca and Binghamton would both lose their air traffic controllers if federal budget cuts known as sequestration take full effect. The first round of closures begins April 7.

Businesses bypassed by new I-81 connector road have mixed reactions

Joanna Richards — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:55:53 +0000

Until recently, the only way to drive between Route 11 and Interstate 81 near Fort Drum was a two-lane road, Route 342. As the Army base grew, local businesses flocked there to serve the increasing traffic. But the state built an $87 million bypass to ease traffic and give military vehicles a direct route to Fort Drum’s main gate. I-781, as it’s known, opened last December. Local shop owners have had mixed reactions to the new road.

Syracuse's effort to connect The Hill to downtown continues

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:11:50 +0000

Red modern-looking street lamps, bright green bike lanes and smoothly paved roadways now stretch from Syracuse University to the edge of the city's downtown.

"Redshirt sophomore" Maffei ready to return to Congress

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:45:58 +0000

Members of the 113th Congress will be sworn in January 3 -- and part of the new Congress will be a familiar face returning to Washington to represent the Syracuse area in a redistricted seat.

Thruway cancels plans to raise tolls on trucks

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 23:01:00 +0000

Updated: Tues. 2:55 p.m. with correction.

The New York Thruway Authority has rescinded a controversial 45 percent truck toll hike proposal, saying it intends to cut costs instead.

Amtrak to take over new tracks in Albany area

Kate O'Connell — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:39 +0000

The Northeast rail corridor will see shorter travel times and be more reliable. Through a new 25-year lease, Amtrak has taken control of a busy stretch of track leading to the capital region.

Fort Drum connector road to I-81 opens

Joanna Richards — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:58:00 +0000

The highway project that creates a direct connection between Interstate 81 and Fort Drum's main gate opened Thursday.

Fracking will bring heavy truck traffic, but towns are ready

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 11:01:00 +0000

Transporting the millions of gallons of water, as well as equipment, sand, and other materials needed to hydraulically fracture a natural gas well requires quite a few truck trips, to put it mildly.

One well site could require up to 3,399 one-way truck trips [PDF], according to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's 2011 draft environmental impact statement (dSGEIS) on hydrofracking.

All those trips by heavy trucks can quickly beat up and wear out roads if they're not built to handle it.

Sticky notes and surveys pave the way for I-81's future in Syracuse

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:25:00 +0000

The dozens of sticky notes mean the jury is still out.

The tabs of paper were posted next to five options Wednesday afternoon. Each represents a different future for the stretch of Interstate 81 that runs through downtown Syracuse.

Transportation planners from the I-81 Challenge began a second round of community meetings Wednesday. The public input they gather will help decide the aging highway's fate.