Construction Season Begins; Consider Alternate Route to Campus

People driving to and from work will be seeing plenty of orange soon, and it has nothing to do with the school colors. Orange construction barriers will soon be in place along I-690 in Syracuse, and that could mean traffic delays as motorists make the drive to the Syracuse University hill. The work involves replacement of the concrete bridge deck carrying I-690 over Onondaga Creek. According to the New York State Department of Transportation, the following closures will be in effect starting June 13, and running through Thursday, June 26:

• Eastbound I-690 will be closed to all traffic between Exit 11 at West Street and the ramp from southbound I-81 to eastbound I-690.
• The entrance ramps from Geddes Street and northbound West Street to eastbound I-690 will be closed.

The following detour routes have been suggested by NYSDOT:

For Eastbound I-690 thru traffic: Eastbound I-690 to Exit 9 (Bear Street). Continue north on Bear Street; right turn onto Genant Street; ramp to southbound I-81; ramp to eastbound I-690.

For Northbound West Street to Eastbound I-690: Ramp to westbound I-690; exit at Geddes Street; right turn at bottom of ramp; left turn onto Pulaski Street; right turn onto Bear Street; right turn onto Genant Drive; ramp to southbound I-81; ramp to eastbound I-690.

For the ramp from Geddes Street to eastbound I-690: Continue north on Geddes Street; left turn onto Pulaski Street; right turn onto Bear Street; right turn onto Genant Drive; ramp to southbound I-81; ramp to eastbound I-690.