SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — While the weather in Central New York hasn’t hinted that summer is just two months away, there’s certainly one sign the summer season is fast approaching.
“We have two seasons here in Syracuse,” says Curtis Jetter, Public Information Officer for New York State Department of Transportation. “So, if there’s no snow on the ground, no snow flying, DOT is out there doing some kind of road work.”
For the next ten days, there will be overnight closures between Exit 16, the Nedrow exit and 17, the South Salina Street Exit. The areas will be closed each night starting at 10 p.m. up until 6 a.m. with crews reconstructing the Sentinel Heights Bridge.
Jetter and the rest of the Department of Transportation are well aware that no matter when construction is scheduled, people will be impacted. But by allotting the time to take place overnight, they hope to limit the inconveniences for residents.
“I-81 is highly trafficked,” acknowledged Jetter. “People going to and from the city, especially during commuting hours. So, the best and safest thing to do is to do construction overnight. Traffic volumes are much lower between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., so it’s less of an inconvenience to the traveling public to do these closures overnight.”
For those who are on the during construction times, the Department of Transportation asks that drivers be cognizant of their driving in work zones.
“We embed police officers within our work zones. So, you could be approaching a work zone and if you don’t pay attention to the signs that say “Slow Down, Move Over” there could be a police officer waiting for you,” Jetter reminded.
In these construction zones, fines are doubled.
