Syracuse drivers will see a major change to eastbound Interstate 690 beginning in late 2027, when the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will shift all eastbound traffic onto city streets for an estimated two‑year period. The detour is part of Contract 6, a broader reconstruction of I‑690 between Leavenworth Avenue and North Crouse Avenue, and will affect commuters, local businesses, and emergency responders throughout downtown.
According to I‑81 Viaduct Project Public Information Officer TeNesha Murphy, the detour route will use existing city arteries: drivers will exit I‑690 east at West Street onto North West Street, continue to West Genesee Street (which becomes James Street), turn right onto Oswego Boulevard heading south, left onto Erie Boulevard East, then east to North Crouse Avenue before turning north onto a new on‑ramp that feeds back onto I‑690 east. “There’s gonna be two lanes going west and two lanes going east, all as part of the detour route,” Murphy said, adding that traffic signals will be synchronized to keep flow moving efficiently.
Westbound I‑690 will remain open throughout the reconstruction, allowing at‑least one direction of highway traffic to operate normally. NYSDOT officials emphasized that the detour will replace a highway‑speed trip with a route that includes intersections and traffic lights, but the synchronized signals are intended to mitigate delays.
The project also includes substantial upgrades to 25 local streets, adding new water and sewer lines, sidewalks, shared‑use paths, lighting, and trees. Contract 6a will install an 8‑by‑10‑foot concrete storm‑water trunkline beneath portions of Almond Street, East Water Street, State Street, Erie Boulevard, Salina Street and Herald Place. By separating runoff from the combined sewer system, the work aims to reduce flooding and lower combined‑sewer overflows into Onondaga Creek and ultimately Onondaga Lake.
Residents and stakeholders can learn more at an open‑house meeting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Palladian Hall in The Treasury at 101 S. Salina St. The informal session will feature more than 40 display boards, project renderings, and videos, including a walkthrough of the planned detour and an explanation of the underground construction. DOT representatives and both prime contractors will be on hand to answer questions, and information on air‑quality and vibration monitoring will be provided. Parking is available in the Treasury Building Garage for a $5 rate with a QR‑code check‑in.
What’s next: After the Nov. 5 open house, NYSDOT will finalize street‑level modifications and signal timing before the detour begins in late 2027. Drivers should monitor NYSDOT updates and plan alternate routes during the two‑year construction period.
Sources: cnycentral.com, news.google.com, navbug.com
