Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the official launch of “Central New York (CNY) Forward,” a comprehensive project to study and address the transportation needs of northern Onondaga County and prepare for the unprecedented economic growth expected in the area during the coming years. The New York State Department of Transportation, working with the Federal Highway Administration, has published a Notice of Intent to begin the Environmental Impact Statement – which will include extensive community engagement – for a major transportation project that will seek to improve traffic flow and enhance safety on several key roadways, including State Route 31 and U.S. Route 11, and at the interchanges of State Route 31 with Interstate 81 and State Route 481 in the Towns of Cicero and Clay. “CNY Forward” is driven by the substantial ongoing and planned development within these burgeoning communities, including Micron’s $100 billion investment in Central New York, the largest private investment in in New York’s history.

 CNY Forward builds on the ongoing partnership between Micron and New York State.  Governor Hochul has worked closely with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Micron’s arrival and make continued investments in the community and the region.  The $100 billion investment by Micron is the largest private investment in New York’s history and the largest semiconductor facility in the United States.  By the end of the decade, one in four U.S. made chips will be produced within 350 miles of Upstate New York – no other region in the country will manufacture a greater share. 

The main objectives of the proposed project include improving traffic operations and safety to accommodate and address potential traffic growth associated with planned economic development/land use changes, reducing the use of local residential streets by commercial trucks and improving accommodations for trucks on the state highway system, enhancing multimodal accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit users and addressing aging bridge infrastructure.

 The proposed project limits include: 

1. State Route 31 between South Bay Road in the Town of Cicero and Oswego Road (County Route 57) in the Town of Clay

2. U.S. Route 11 between Factory Street and Mud Mill Road in the Town of Cicero

3. Interstate 81 between the I-481 interchange and the Bartell Road interchange in the Town of Cicero

4. State Route 481 between the U.S. Route 11 interchange in the Town of Cicero and State Route 31 interchange in the Town of Clay

A project community outreach office, located at 4483 State Route 31 in the Town of Clay, which opens to the public today, provides further opportunities for public engagement. Staff will be available on the days and times outlined below to discuss the proposed project and obtain community input.

 Community Outreach Office Hours: 

1. Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2. Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Public Scoping Meetings: 

Additionally, the Department of Transportation will host public scoping meetings. Public scoping is an early and open process to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement and provide an early opportunity to share project information and receive public input.

 The informal, open-house-style gatherings will take place at the Clay Town Hall (4401 State Route 31, Clay, NY 13041) on the following dates: 

1. Thursday, July 30, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
2. Thursday, July 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
3. Thursday, August 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
4. Thursday, August 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  

Meeting content will be the same at each event. NYSDOT representatives will be available to provide information, answer questions, and gather input.

View the project website here