How did the construction of Highway 81 through downtown Syracuse impact the city residents?
The construction of Interstate 81 in Syracuse came with the forced displacement of nearly 1,300 residents from the city’s 15th Ward. It devastated a historic black community, severing the social fabric of the community and razing swaths of buildings, and with them, affordable housing options.
When did they build Interstate 81?
After several bouts of expansion, the freeway was completed from US 40 (now MD 144) to the Pennsylvania state line in 1958, and marked as I-81 in 1959.
What happened when Rte 81 was erected in Syracuse?
More than 50 years ago, the Interstate 81 Viaduct ripped through a working-class Black neighborhood in Syracuse. It displaced long-time residents and ensured that poverty, pollution, and a lack of resources would hurt the community that lived in the highway’s shadow that still persists today.
What was the 15th Ward in Syracuse?
The 15th Ward was a section of Syracuse that sat between downtown Syracuse and the University Hill area. Much of the largely African-American neighborhood was destroyed to make way for the construction of Interstate 81. Here are some photos shared by the Onondaga Historical Association.
What is the i81 project?
Syracuse, N.Y. — The nearly $2 billion proposal to rebuild a portion of Interstate 81 and the city’s highway system would be the largest single project ever for the state’s Department of Transportation. In Syracuse, it would be the largest community project in generations.
Does NY 81 have tolls?
Tolls are collected in the southbound direction on the Canadian side of the border.
Is Interstate 81 safe?
VDOT: I-81 is one of the most dangerous interstates, projects will begin to improve safety. LEXINGTON, Va. (WSET) — With more than 2,000 crashes and millions of hours of delays annually, VDOT says I-81 is one of the most dangerous interstates in the commonwealth and they have new projects planned to help make it safer …
Is i81 safe to travel?
Interstate 81 is an important stretch of road in Virginia. Driving on I-81 can be particularly dangerous when you are a driver in a standard passenger car who must share the road with monster-sized tractor-trailers. According to VDOT, more than 2,000 traffic crashes occur on I-81 each year.