Central NY News
Public hearing scheduled Tuesday on $74 million I-690 project
Updated: Jan. 04, 2019, 10:57 a.m. | Published: Jun. 27, 2016, 3:18 p.m.
By Mike McAndrew | mmcandrew@syracuse.com
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The state Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing Tuesday night on its proposed $74 million Interstate 690 bridge replacement project between Teall Avenue and Beech Street.
The project also includes plans to improve the I-690 interchange at Teall Avenue, with roundabouts on Teall Avenue among the improvements being considered.
As part of the project, the state has already notified owners of four properties near the highway that it plans to use eminent domain to acquire their property.
DOT officials will be available, beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Henninger High School on Robinson Street, to answer questions about the project.
The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m., with a presentation on the project details and a discussion of property acquisition. The hearing will also include a public comment period, where those wishing to express their views on the project will have their comments entered into the record.
Read DOT's reports on the I-690 project
The I-690 project is necessary, according to the state, because inspections in 2014 and 2015 identified structural deficiencies in bridges supporting the highway. In addition, the stretch of the highway between Teall and Beech has reduced sight lines, narrow shoulders, and inadequate bridge railing.
>> Graphic: Highway reconstruction proposed
Approximately 100,000 vehicles a day travel on I-690 in this area on Syracuse's east side.
The state plans to begin construction in 2017 after issuing a request for proposals from contractors interested in the design build contract.
To minimize the impact on traffic, two lanes of I-690 in each direction will remain open during the construction project, according to the DOT.
Instead of rebuilding the bridges that hold up I-690 in this stretch, DOT is considering building a 23-foot embankment under the highway that would be filled with a material that does not compress and is similar to Styrofoam.
In March, the state notified owners of four commercial properties near I-690 that it may use eminent domain to acquire their property. DOT expects to make formal offers of compensation to the property owners in August.
No residential properties would be acquired by the state.
At the Teall Avenue interchange with I-690, one option DOT is considering includes building one or two traffic circles on Teall Avenue to relieve congestion. An oval roundabout could fit under the highway between the I-690 ramps. Another roundabout would be built at the nearby intersection with Canal Street, where the post office is.
>> Graphic: I-690 and Teall Avenue interchange
Copies of the DOT draft design report are available at the DOT Regional Office, 333 E. Washington St.; the Northeast Community Center Library, 716 Hawley Avenue; and the Onondaga Central Library, 447 S. Salina St.
DOT will accept written comments about the project until July 8. Written comments should be addressed to the NYSDOT regional director's office at 333 E. Washington St., Syracuse, NY 13202.
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