Anchor: Topping the news at this hour, Lane changes and detours have been the norm for drivers over parts of I-690 while construction takes place. NCC News’ Jenna Fink is live at the Department of Transportation Office. Jenna, what’s the latest on the I-690 construction?
Fink: I’m overlooking a stretch of the highway, and traffic is flowing smoothly. But just a few exits down, construction between Teal Avenue and Beech Street is still ongoing. Curtis Jetter, PIO for Region 3 of the Department of Transportation told me the project is right on budget and on schedule to be completed by the spring. But Jetter adds Syracuse weather can be unpredictable and says workers plan to finish most of the project before winter.
Jetter: “In Syracuse the weather plays a major role especially this time in the fall. We’ve already seen some snow flurries. Its been miserable weather through the fall actually a lot of rain so that definitely slows construction but we are still on pace to have three lanes open before the winter suspends construction.”
Fink: In the spring, Jetter says the DOT plans to put finishing touches on the project, including a top coat of paving and median barrier work in the middle of the highway.
Jenna Fink, N-C-C News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)— The clock is ticking for the New York Department of Transportation to complete construction on parts of I-690. Curtis Jetter, spokesperson for the state’s Department of Transportation, said the project is on budget and on schedule to be completed by the Spring.
Jetter added Syracuse’s unpredictable weather can impact how quickly construction progresses.
“In Syracuse the weather plays a major role especially this time in the Fall,” he said. “It’s been miserable weather through the Fall actually a lot of rain so that definitely slows construction.”
Despite the cold and rainy past few months, Jetter said the DOT still plans to finish most of the project before winter hits.
“We are still on pace to have three lanes open before the winter suspends construction,” Jetter said.
Construction began on I-690 in May 2017 to reconstruct a 3/4 mile stretch of highway over Teall Ave. and Beech St. The project is addressing structural issues on the bridges as well as safety concerns at the Teall Ave exit.
In the spring, Jetter said the DOT plans to put finishing touches on the project, including a top coat of paving and median barrier work in the middle of the highway.
“The new construction will make sure the bridges are safe to the traveling public so people can travel safely from one side of the city to the other,” Jetter said.
