# NYSDOT Awards $143.5M I-81 Stormwater Contract

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has reached significant milestones in the I-81 Viaduct Project in Syracuse, including securing Federal Highway Administration approval to redesignate Interstate 481 as the new Interstate 81. On September 22, 2026, NYSDOT awarded a **$143.5 million** contract (Contract 6a) for the construction of a mile-long underground concrete stormwater trunkline and associated street reconstruction. This infrastructure work aims to improve drainage, reduce flooding, enhance environmental resiliency, and support the removal of the elevated I-81 highway to reconnect neighborhoods with a new Community Grid street network.

- **Why this matters:** The contract represents a major investment in urban infrastructure modernization and environmental mitigation, creating opportunities for contractors specializing in underground utilities, stormwater management, and urban street construction.
- The federal infrastructure law contributes over $114 million to water improvements linked to this project, indicating strong federal-state collaboration and funding support.
- Procurement professionals should note the scale and complexity of Contract 6a, which includes pedestrian and cyclist accommodations, signaling integrated multimodal infrastructure requirements.
- Companies with expertise in resilient urban infrastructure and environmental compliance may find strategic opportunities in upcoming phases of the I-81 Viaduct Project and related community grid development.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT)
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
- City of Syracuse
- United States Senate
- United States House of Representatives

### Key Quotes
> More than $114 million from the federal infrastructure law is supporting water improvements associated with the effort.
> — Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator

> With each new milestone, we are taking a giant leap forward in delivering on the promise of the I-81 Viaduct Project to revitalize not only downtown Syracuse, but the entire Central New York Region.
> — Kathy Hochul, Governor

> Dedicated stormwater capacity should make sewage overflows into waterways less likely, though construction would bring short-term disruption.
> — Rachel May, State Senator

### Sources
- [Governor Hochul Announces Major Milestones in Transformational I-81 Viaduct Project, Increasing Mobility and Resiliency in City of Syracuse | Governor Kathy Hochul | New York State](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-major-milestones-transformational-i-81-viaduct-project-increasing) - NY
- [Syracuse I-81 project reaches highway redesignation, $143.5M drainage deal](https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/09/23/syracuse-i-81-project-reaches-highway-redesignation-143-5m-drainage-deal) - Fingerlakes1.com