A rally and meeting tonight is trying to broaden the conversation about the future of the Interstate 81 bridge through Syracuse. The Moving People Transportation Coalition believes just talking about replacing or removing the elevated portion of the highway is not enough.
NOTE: I-81 RALLY AT FIREFIGHTERS PARK MOVED INSIDE TO PARK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH @ 5:00 P.M. TODAY (01/02)
Peter Sarver with Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse – or ACTS – is helping organize. He says some people overstate the need for the 81 section.
“Places like Milwaukee and San Francisco and Seattle, where elevated highways have come down in those communities, people have find alternative means to access th4e city. In fact, we have certain myths around the interstate. All you have to do is have one guy get a flat tire and you can be standing in the parking lot known as I-81 for an hour. What we have now is not necessarily the best solution for moving people."
The group believes alternative transportation into the city should be part of the debate and the planning. That could mean more rail, shuttles or bus lines to reduce reliance on cars and parking lots. He also sees it as a chance to get local people working. A rally in Firefighters park has been moved inside…now the meeting will be entirely at park Presbyterian Church on East Fayette Street…starting at 5:00 p.m.