The chance to rebuild and reconnect

The city of Syracuse is on the cusp of major change. At the center of that transformation is the redevelopment of one of its most controversial landmarks: the I-81 viaduct.

In May 2022, the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration announced plans to tear down the highway that cuts through the heart of Syracuse. In its place, they are moving forward with the Community Grid Plan, a design intended to reconnect neighborhoods that were divided for decades and to create a more livable, walkable city.

But why spend so much time, money, and effort removing something so central to the city’s infrastructure? Because the viaduct was racist by design.

Traffic through the I-81 viaduct

History of the 15th Ward 

When it was built in the mid-20th century, the I-81 viaduct became a tool of segregation. It physically and socially separated wealthier areas, including Syracuse University, from some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. Most notably, it destroyed much of the historic 15th Ward, a thriving, predominantly Black community filled with homes, businesses, and culture. Urban renewal projects displaced residents, dismantled the neighborhood’s fabric, and reinforced racial and economic divides that remain visible today.

The crumbling of the viaduct

But the decision to remove the viaduct came from until the structure itself began to deteriorate—posing real safety risks to drivers and residents—that the state took decisive action. The aging highway has long been an eyesore, but now its crumbling walls and unsafe conditions make demolition a necessity.

Looking forward

Removing the viaduct brings new challenges. Residents who live near the construction zone will face noise, dust, and air pollution for years. Some worry about displacement all over again.

As the demolition begins, questions about equity and accountability loom large. How can Syracuse ensure this redevelopment doesn’t repeat the mistakes of the past? How will leaders protect the people most affected by the project? With mayoral elections around the corner, the I-81 project is expected to be a central issue—one that voters will demand clear answers on.