SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) revealed that eastbound traffic on Interstate 690 will be diverted onto city streets for approximately two years, starting in late 2027. The detour is part of a larger reconstruction effort that includes rebuilding the highway, improving the North Crouse‑Irving interchange, and installing a new underground storm‑water system.
Detour Route Details
Motorists traveling east on I‑690 will exit at West Street onto North West Street, continue to West Genesee Street, which becomes James Street, then turn right onto Oswego Boulevard heading south. From there they will turn left onto Erie Boulevard East, proceed east to North Crouse Avenue, turn north, and re‑enter I‑690 via a new on‑ramp from North Crouse Avenue. NYSDOT officials said the temporary route will replace the highway segment with a series of downtown intersections and traffic signals.
Open‑House Meeting
An open‑house meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Palladian Hall in The Treasury building (101 S. Salina St.). Attendees can view more than 40 display boards, project renderings, and videos that illustrate the planned detour and the underground construction. DOT representatives and the two prime contractors will be on hand to answer questions about the project, air‑quality monitoring, and vibration control.
Construction Scope
Contract 6 covers rebuilding and realigning I‑690 between Leavenworth Avenue and North Crouse Avenue, completing the North Crouse‑Irving interchange, and replacing the West Street overpass with a street‑level intersection at West Genesee Street. The contract also funds improvements to 25 local streets, including new water and sewer lines, sidewalks, shared‑use paths, upgraded lighting, and tree planting.
Contract 6a adds an 8‑by‑10‑foot concrete storm‑water trunkline that will run beneath portions of Almond Street, East Water Street, State Street, Erie Boulevard, Salina Street, and Herald Place. The new conduit will separate roadway runoff from the combined sewer system, reducing combined‑sewer overflows into Onondaga Creek and helping to mitigate flooding and wastewater‑treatment loads.
Traffic Management
Public Information Officer TeNesha Murphy emphasized that westbound I‑690 will remain open throughout the eastbound reconstruction. “There’ll be two lanes going west and two lanes going east, all as part of the detour route,” Murphy said. “The lights will be synced, so that will also help move traffic quickly through the area.” Preparations for the detour have not yet begun, but crews will modify local streets and adjust signal timing before traffic is diverted.
Community Impact
The detour will bring additional traffic to downtown Syracuse, affecting local businesses and commuters. However, the project also promises lasting benefits: upgraded sidewalks, shared‑use paths, and improved lighting will enhance pedestrian safety and encourage active transportation. The storm‑water improvements aim to protect Onondaga Creek and Onondaga Lake from future flooding events.
How to Get Involved
Residents who wish to learn more or voice concerns are encouraged to attend the open‑house meeting. Parking is available in The Treasury Building Garage (119 E. Washington St.) at a discounted $5 rate for attendees who scan the QR code at the sign‑in table. For further information, contact TeNesha Murphy at 315‑728‑4251 or via email at [email protected].
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
