Syracuse, N.Y. – Yesterday November 22nd, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Common Council President Helen Hudson at Wilson Park for a press conference denouncing the state Supreme Court justice’s decision that placed a temporary restraining order on any work related to the I-81 revitalization project. They were joined by Mayor Ben Walsh, Onondaga County Legislator Linda Ervin, State Senator Rachel May, Assemblyman Al Stirpe and Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens.
“The disappointing preliminary injunction issued by the New York State Supreme Court justice regarding the I-81 revitalization project will needlessly delay this more than $2 billion investment in Syracuse, potentially cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and obstruct local jobs and opportunities for residents, all while I-81 continues to decay. I came out in support of the Community Grid alternative in 2018 because it is the best path to create a more equitable future for the city of Syracuse,” said Senator Gillibrand. “After more than a decade of scrutiny, the Record of Decision signed earlier this year confirmed that the Community Grid is the best option for the revitalization of I-81. With huge investments headed to the region, it is imperative now more than ever that this project stay on track.”
”Now is the time to undo the environmental, economic injustices that has plagued this community for the past 50 plus years,” said Syracuse Common Council President Helen Hudson.
On November 10th, New York State Supreme Court Justice Gerard Neri ordered the New York State Department of Transportation to halt any work on the I-81 project, placing a temporary restraining order on interstate’s revitalization. This announcement follows the New York State Department of Transportation’s formal decision this May to adopt the Community Grid alternative.
Following her Syracuse visit with Secretary Buttigieg in 2021, Senator Gillibrand delivered big for New York, with at least $27 billion coming to New York from the once-in-a-generation infrastructure bill. The package included $1 billion to help reconnect communities in addition to key provisions from Senator Gillibrand’s Build Local, Hire Local Act, which was inspired by the legacy of I-81. This bold effort will help communities right the wrongs of the past and prioritizes the training and hiring of local workers for projects that will directly impact their community.
Additionally, Gillibrand won $300,000 in FY22 for I-81 construction job training to help young people who are not enrolled in school or participating in the formal labor market get the support and training they need to start careers in construction, specifically working to uplift the community through the I-81 redevelopment project. This October, Gillibrand and White House Infrastructure Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President Mitch Landrieu visited Syracuse for a briefing led by Mayor Ben Walsh, local leaders, and stakeholders to support the ongoing community-led effort concerning the transformation of Syracuse’s I-81.
Aforementioned Information provided by the office of Sen. Gillibrand.
