On Monday, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) joined Mitch Landrieu, White House Infrastructure Coordinator, for a briefing on the ongoing efforts to revitalize Syracuse’s I-81.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and other local leaders discussed the community-led efforts to transform the highway, while Gillibrand and Landrieu discussed the billions in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that would be coming to the state to address infrastructure needs. Gillibrand also announced her support for the city’s application for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, which she said which would provide federal funding to help Syracuse establish the community grid, revitalize its downtown, and connect workers to good-paying jobs.
“The construction of highways like I-81 devastated communities of color across our state and nation,” Gillibrand said. “It’s time to right the wrongs of the past and transform I-81 to meet the needs of the people of Syracuse … I’m honored to be hosting White House Infrastructure Coordinator Landrieu to share with him the community grid plan for the I-81 Viaduct.”
Gillibrand introduced the Build Local, Hire Local Act in 2021, which helps communities prioritize training and hiring local workers for projects that will directly impact their community. Elements of the bill were incorporated into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Gillibrand said.
“President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transformational change to New York, and this Administration is committed to supporting projects like the I-81 community grid in Syracuse, which is going to reconnect communities and create good-paying jobs,” Landrieu said. “We look forward to continuing our partnership across local and state government to create economic opportunity and advance equity.”