SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — In the next few weeks, drivers that frequent I-690 might face some traffic on their commutes to and from work. Starting late Monday, a construction project will begin on the median of the highway, closing down the left lane on the east and west-bound sides.
The construction is the continuation of a multi-million-dollar project to improve conditions along I-690. The current project, which is the last of the initiative, will take place near Teall Avenue and Beech Street. Curtis Jetter, the public information officer at the New York Department of Transportation, outlined the specifics of the construction project to NCC News on Monday.
“Work that’s being done towards this phase of the project is center median work,” Jetter said. “Then we’re re-paving and re-stripping [the roads].”
On both sides of the highway, the left most-lane will be closed during the day, leaving two lanes open on both sides and all exit ramps. John Cronkwright, project supervisor, said that the lane closures will stay consistent throughout the day during the next four to six weeks while construction takes place.
“We don’t set up a daily closure, it’s a long-term closure,” said Cronkwright. “It’s not a set up that they are modifying, it’s not like they can get in and out every day and reset it. It’s going to be the same as it was the last year and a half, where we have two lanes open in each direction.”
Drivers may experience a little more congestion during their morning commute but with all the exit ramps open, unlike past projects, Cronkwright says drivers should prepare for only a slight delay.
More information can be found regarding traffic updates and alerts on 511ny.org.
