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Dive brief:
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the fourth of eight contracts for the state’s $2.25 billion I-81 Viaduct project, which aims to reconnect downtown Syracuse neighborhoods divided by the construction of the viaduct in the 1950s.
- Hochul announced a $313.5 million contract with CNY Alliance, a partnership formed by New York contractors Rifenburg Cos., Economy Paving Co. and a joint venture between A. Servidone and B. Anthony Construction Corp. The group will build a direct connection from downtown to University Hill, Syracuse’s busiest employment, medical and higher education corridor.
- Contract four aims to improve mobility and access, facilitating access to hospitals and universities in the area. To do so, CNY Alliance will replace the elevated freeway in downtown Syracuse and make major upgrades to the city’s drainage system, according to the release.
Diving knowledge:
The contract calls for the group to separate stormwater from the sanitary sewer to avoid overloading and reduce the amount of chemicals needed for wastewater treatment, according to the release.
The construction will also involve the readjustment of certain roads and the reconstruction of several streets in the city. Improvements include the construction of ADA-accessible pedestrian and bicyclist amenities, such as bike lanes, shared paths, new sidewalks, and crosswalks.
CNY Alliance also won Contract Two part of the project in the summer of 2023, valued at $384.5 million, according to the New York State DOT. This project, which is already underway, will improve a portion of I-481 and improve connections to downtown Syracuse and other commercial districts.
The eight contracts are part of Hochul’s plan to modernize the area’s infrastructure and reconnect Syracuse’s downtown neighborhoods.
