Drivers that use Interstate 690 east to get to Syracuse from the western suburbs will need a little more time for their commute in the coming days. The New York State Department of Transportation is doing some major deck repairs just before the I-690 interchange with Interstate 81 (see maps below), which will shut down a stretch of road that 37,000 drivers use to get into the city of Syracuse every day.
The portion of I-690 that passes through the city of Syracuse over Franklin and Salina Streets was built 70 years ago. Structurally it’s holding up well, but the concrete bed on the eastbound lane is crumbling. So the state will undertake a deep deck repair starting at 9 a.m. Friday morning. Crews will work 24 hours over 10 days.
Department of Transportation spokesman Sean Hennesey says it’s more than a standard mill-and-pave repair.
"We’re going to bring it down to the concrete, do those repairs to the concrete and driving surface, and make for a much better experience for the driving public.”
That portion of I-690 east will be closed to all traffic for at least 10 days, meaning significant traffic delays. Hennessy suggests motorists follow a detour from Bear Street to Interstate 81, or take local roads over that period.
The state is using a cheaper method of repair on this project, according to Hennessy, because of its proximity to the I-81 viaduct, which is going to be replaced shortly.
“This area could very well be impacted by that project. So by doing it in the way that we are, it’s a greater cost savings to the general public, and lifespan, that’s a toss-up,” said Hennessy in an interview with WRVO.
The project will cost $1.5 million.
