New York DOT drops tunnel idea for new I-81 through Syracuse; it's down to 2 options

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The state's options to replace Interstate 81's elevated highway in Syracuse are down to two: a more modern version of the raised highway or a community grid that funnels traffic onto city streets.

There's no tunnel in I-81's future.

Syracuse.com has learned what the New York State Department of Transportation will announce to the public at an event Thursday.

The DOT has dropped the tunnel option pushed by some government and business leaders to build a tunnel to carry the interstate under the city. At an estimated $3.1 billion to build, nearly twice as much as the other options, the department said a tunnel is too expensive and would take too long to build.

Read more: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/10/new_york_dot_narrows_i-81_replacement_choices_and_drops_the_tunnel.html