Syracuse, N.Y. – As the I‑81 viaduct demolition and the Community Grid project continue to reshape downtown traffic patterns, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon is urging the state to temporarily suspend tolls on the New York State Thruway. The goal, he says, is to give drivers and first‑responders an additional, toll‑free corridor while construction forces more vehicles onto city streets.
Why a toll waiver matters
McMahon explained that the Thruway could serve as a vital alternate route for ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles that are currently navigating congested surface streets. “One of the things we’ve been talking to the state about is looking at a temporary situation where people can use the Thruway as a way to get in and out and not have to pay tolls,” he said.
Local emergency‑medical provider AMR has already reported backup on the streets surrounding the medical corridor. Operations manager John Falgiatano noted, “We do our best to stay off the highways because of that, but when we do stay off the highways, other people are doing that as well, so then surface streets become backed up.”
Impact on emergency response times
While AMR says current response times remain within acceptable limits, McMahon warned that any further delay could jeopardize lives. “In any emergency, you have seconds and minutes, not tens of minutes and hours,” he said, emphasizing the need for multiple travel options around the city’s hospitals.
He added, “Certainly it is better to have multiple avenues in and out of our medical infrastructure in the heart of the city than certainly one or two.” The county’s emergency‑management team is already coordinating with the state Department of Transportation and local first‑responders to keep routes clear as construction ramps up.
Political backdrop
The proposal is not new. McMahon says a similar request was previously vetoed by the governor, but he believes the growing traffic pressures make it worth revisiting. No timetable has been set for a formal waiver, and the state has not yet announced a decision.
County leaders argue that a temporary toll suspension would be a pragmatic, cost‑free solution to a problem that directly affects public safety. “Everybody’s going to pick up their game. And that communication will get better. It’s got to get better for our emergency responders,” McMahon said.
What’s next?
The Thruway toll waiver remains a proposal. McMahon plans to bring the idea back to state officials as construction on the I‑81 corridor continues. He urges residents and local businesses to stay informed and to support any measures that keep emergency routes open.
For now, commuters can expect ongoing detours and possible delays on I‑81 and surrounding streets. The county will continue to work with the Department of Transportation to minimize disruption and to ensure that critical services can reach hospitals without undue delay.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
