Over the following two weeks, a segment of Interstate 81 in and around Syracuse is scheduled to be shut down at night.
The I-81 Viaduct Project, currently underway in the Syracuse area, is causing several closures and detours through summer 2025. Here's what you need to know about the upcoming changes.
Nightly Closures for Bridge Demolition
From August 4 to 9, 2025, I-81 South will be closed between Exit 17 (South State Street/South Salina Street/Brighton Avenue) and the East Glen Avenue on-ramp to I-81 South. These nightly closures will occur from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday to Saturday, facilitating the demolition of the East Glen Avenue bridge.
During these closures, drivers heading south on I-81 should take Exit 17 to South State Street/South Salina Street/Brighton Avenue, then west on McClure Avenue, south on U.S. Route 11 (South Salina Street) and back to I-81 South.
Construction Activities and Detours
The Spencer Street Bridge Closure began on July 15, 2025, and will continue until the new, longer bridge opens in summer 2025. This impacts traffic over I-81 and involves detours for both westbound and eastbound Spencer Street traffic with routes using North State Street, Lodi Street, Court Street, North Clinton Street, and Genant Drive to access I-81 southbound.
The Sunset Avenue on-ramp to I-81 Northbound will be closed on July 29, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists will be directed north on Sunset Avenue, east on Bear Street, then north on Lodi Street to I-81 northbound. This is for removing the Bear Street bridge abutment and retaining wall.
Drivers heading north on I-81 will be directed to follow a signed detour to I-481 North, then to Exit 1 (Brighton Avenue/Rock Cut Road), west on Rock Cut Road, north on Brighton Avenue, south on U.S. Route 11 (South Salina Street), east on East Calthrop Avenue, and back to I-81 North.
For drivers on I-481 South heading to I-81 North, follow the signed detour to Exit 1 (Brighton Avenue), East Glen Avenue, I-81 South to Exit 16 (Onondaga Nation/Nedrow), east on U.S. Route 11 (South Salina Street) and back to I-81 North.
I-81 North will be closed between Exit 16A (I-481 North) and Exit 17 (South Salina Street/Brighton Avenue) during all construction activities.
Important Reminders
- Construction activities on the I-81 Viaduct Project are weather-dependent and may change.
- During all construction, motorists should expect travel delays, follow all signed detours, and drive cautiously in work zones where fines are doubled for speeding.
- Two or more convictions for speeding in a work zone can result in a suspended driver's license.
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) urges drivers to slow down and use caution in work zones.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and stay updated through the New York State DOT I-81 Viaduct Project website or its social media channels for the latest advisories.
- In the summer of 2025, finance might be affected due to the detours and closures on I-81 caused by the bridge demolition and construction activities in the transportation industry.
- While navigating through the I-81 Viadct Project in the Syracuse area, it's crucial to remember that fines for speeding in work zones are doubled and two or more convictions could lead to a suspended driver's license, underscoring the importance of observing safety measures in the finance and industry sectors.