Despite heavy construction and continual rerouting, new phase of I-81 project brings hope

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — When TeNesha Murphy first took the job of I-81 community liaison and public information officer, she had no idea the determination and time it would take. The viaduct, originally built in the ’60s, destroyed the 15th ward, displaced 400 businesses and 1200 people. The new viaduct project plans to transform the city of Syracuse, effectively destroying the viaduct in two phases. 

Murphy says the project is the largest in New York state and that to be a part of history is unparalleled.

“More importantly for me, it was an opportunity for me to help the residents who are in the environmental justice community understand the project, help them navigate the construction, and help them understand how this will benefit them once the project is complete,” Murphy said.

The first phase, Phase one, gives four of eight contracts to begin construction of rerouting the infrastructure. “Phase One” builds it out, while “Phase Two” actually allows the crew to go in and take-down the viaduct itself. The cars need a place to go before the take down can begin. 

This project is heavily based in the community as one of the goals was to give members of the displaced ward jobs within the project as a way to give back. The community wants to see people who look like them working on this project, and one of the mandates of the hiring firm was to allot 15% of their work hours to community workers.    

“One big thing, we’re trying to do is make this a community driven project,” Murphy said. “And the people at the time were not asked ‘What is your advice on this?’ or ‘Hey! What is your opinion on this viaduct.’ No, it was like, this is what we’re doing so you need to pack up and leave.”

Contract five, which is said to be awarded this spring, will officially allow the deconstruction of the viaduct to begin. This fifth contract is crucial to the project itself but will also mark the start of the heavy construction. 

“There’s a great quote from the late poet Dr. Maya Angelou that says, you know, ‘when you know better, you do better.’ And so now, we know better,” Murphy said. “We know what driving infrastructure into a community without getting their feedback looks like. We know what that causes to communities, and we’re trying to do better.”

Amirah Britt is an SU junior who originally hails from Dewitt and makes the trek each day. She says when she drives under the viaduct, it’s a frustrating reminder the viaduct was built over the Black community. 

“It’s one thing to be above the highway because you’re kind of at eye level with the roofs of the housing. But when you’re below and under the highway, you can really hear how loud it is and I just cannot imagine having to hear all this commotion 24/7,” Britt said.

With family in the low-income neighborhoods that the viaduct currently impacts, Britt understands the potential impact the fifth contract will bring. 

“I feel like the same considerations wouldn’t happen over in Jamesville, Dewitt or Fayetteville. I feel like nobody would build a highway over a neighborhood. But I know the cause (of the project) and what it’s for, so it’s for the best,” Britt said. 

Contract five is said to come in the next month or so, marking a new phase for the project. Be on the lookout for additional traffic reroutes as the project welcomes this new contract.