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• The State of I-81
• The I-81 Projects
• The I-81 Process
• The Focus Areas
• Project Partners
• FAQs

The I-81 decision-making process is being led by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), in conjunction with the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC). In addition, the project will involve other partners – agencies, organizations, and individuals from across the community - who have a stake in I-81.

NYSDOT

NYSDOT, as the owner of the road, is the lead entity in The I-81 Challenge and will have ultimate responsibility for any decision about the future of I-81. NYSDOT will be responsible for overseeing the decision-making process and, eventually, construction.  NYSDOT will manage this project out of their Central New York office in Syracuse.

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
333 E. Washington Street
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-428-4409

SMTC

The SMTC is the state-designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for Onondaga County and small portions of Madison and Oswego Counties. In this capacity, the SMTC does transportation planning for the metropolitan planning area. The SMTC is also responsible for administering federal transportation funds for the area through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The SMTC’s member agencies include:

• Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB)
• Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA)
• City of Syracuse
  • Office of the Mayor
  • Common Council
  • Planning Commission
• Empire State Development Corporation
• Metropolitan Development Association (MDA)
• New York State
  • Department of Environmental Conservation
  • Department of Transportation
  • Thruway Authority
• Onondaga County
  • Office of the County Executive
  • Legislature
  • Planning Board/Syracuse Onondaga County Planning Agency (SOCPA)
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) *
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) *
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) *
• Madison County Board of Supervisors *
• Oswego County Legislature *

* denotes non-voting/advisory members

Federal Agencies

Because federal money will be expended, the federal government, through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other federal agencies, will also have a role in the I-81 decision-making process. The FHWA will oversee the adherence to federal transportation planning and design regulations throughout the process.

The Public

Because this project has the potential to profoundly impact everyone who lives in the Syracuse metropolitan area, the public will also play a major role in the ultimate decision about I-81. The public will be central to the development of options for the future of the highway, as well as the iterative process to narrow those options down to the one preferred solution.