The NYS DOT needs to hear from you about their Draft Environmental Impact Statement [DEIS] for the I-81 Replacement in the Syracuse region.
This opportunity is the closest thing we have to a referendum on this massive infrastructure project. Your voice on this matter is your vote.
Go to https://webapps.dot.ny.gov/i-81-viaduct-project?utm_medium=301&utm_source=i81.dot.ny.gov for DEIS contents and process.
See various means to communicate with the NYS DOT below the Moving People Statement. Send the message: I support the Community Grid.
Support the Community Grid for I-81 Replacement
Moving People Transportation Coalition asks you to consider
making these critical points when communicating with NYS DOT
Critical Point #1: Jobs for local people! Support the training and hiring of local persons for the I-81 reconfiguration and rebuilding, specifically support the Urban Jobs Task Force’s Recommendations For Building Equity in the Construction Trades including:
· A pro-Syracuse version of the federal government’s Local Hire program (called SEP-14 Local Hire) that provides for training and hiring, and
· CWA-PLA agreement on I-81 that includes unions and community representatives in decision-making on the implementation of the I-81 plan.
Rationale: Social justice requires that chronically disadvantaged persons be made a priority for training and job placement in this huge infrastructure project.
Critical Point #2: Public Participation is Essential. DOT should promote and facilitate active participation by neighborhood groups and the public throughout the design and construction phases.
Rationale:
· Through special initiatives by the DOT, residents' concerns and self-interests need to be given due consideration by their significant and continuous input.
· All Central New Yorkers and Visitors to our region will benefit from ongoing active public participation for many decades to come.
Critical Point #3: Changes for South Side! Support the new northbound exit at Colvin Street and the new roundabout at Martin Luther King East along Business Loop 81 [BL81]
Rationale:
· The new exit at Colvin will enhance access for the south side to promote business development and residential life. It will help with the diffusion of traffic going to the university and hence reduce the load further north on BL81.
· The new roundabout at MLKJ East will calm and smooth traffic flow as vehicles enter the street grid and hence reduce safety concerns at the nearby MLKJ School.
Critical Point #4: Health and Safety Concerns should be a priority along the street grid of BL81.
Rationale:
· Maximum speed of 30 mph and narrower 11 feet lanes along BL81 between Oswego Blvd and Martin Luther King Jr East will promote public health and safety for pedestrians and cyclists by calming traffic and is likely to reduce air pollution.
· DOT should use input from multiple sources including experts, “on the ground” people and technical measurements for air quality to monitor developments throughout the rebuild process.
Critical Point #5: Public Bus Transit should be an integral part of the Community Grid Plan including cut outs for bus pull overs and accommodations for Bus Rapid Transit in the future along the grid corridor within BL81.
Rationale: The future of our transportation system must put greater reliance on bus traffic to avoid unnecessary parking and to lower the impact of fossil fuels on our environment. DOT must work closer with CENTRO.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will accept comments on the document through 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on September 14, 2021. All substantive comments received will be summarized and responded to in the Final Design Report/Final EIS for the Project. You may submit your comments using our electronic comment form or by emailing us at i81opportunities@dot.ny.gov; by sending it via U.S. Mail to the addresses below; by leaving a voicemail on the Project hotline, 1-855-I81-TALK (1-855-481-8255); or by providing it verbally at the Project’s public hearings. Find out more about the public hearings here.
Comments sent via U.S. Mail can be directed to either address below:
Mark Frechette, P.E. Rick Marquis
Project Director Division Administrator
New York State Department of Transportation, Region 3 Federal Highway Administration
333 East Washington Street Leo W. O’Brien Federal Building
Syracuse, NY 13202 11A Clinton Avenue, Suite 719
Albany, NY