New York state budget to include $1.1 billion for I-81 removal project

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New York state’s fiscal year 2023 budget will include $1.1 billion for the Interstate 81 removal project, syracuse.com reported Saturday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal covered $32.8 billion over five years for transportation infrastructure, including $1.1 billion for the replacement of Syracuse’s I-81 viaduct.

Lawmakers passed the $220 billion budget over the weekend after it was delayed past its original April 1 deadline. The delay was due to a combination of disputes over major budgetary issues, including funding for the SUNY and CUNY systems, bail reform, child and health care and casinos within New York City. Hochul’s initial budget proposal was worth around $216 billion.

Last year’s state budget included about $800 million for the I-81 removal plan. This year’s project brought the state’s total allocation for the plan to $1.9 billion.

The state is waiting for federal approval before breaking ground on the project, syracuse.com reported — something that’s expected to take place this spring.

On March 21, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the removal project could have its Environmental Impact Statement approved within weeks.

The statement is a requirement for large-scale infrastructure projects that need federal aid, Schumer said. Schumer didn’t specify a date for the release of the EIS. The release of the EIS will start a 30-day comment period before the Federal Highway Administration issues a final Record of Decision.

After the viaduct’s removal, the state plans to replace it with a community grid that would redirect traffic onto city streets. The nonprofit Blueprint 15 aims to prevent the further displacement of residents of the historic 15th Ward neighborhood.