A lot of trees are coming down for the I-81 project. Why is it happening now?

Greta Stuckey

Posted Friday, November 6, 2026 11:34 am

Greta Stuckey (via syracuse.com)

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

On Thursday afternoon, the trees and bushes that once lined I-81 along Erie Boulevard East between North McBride Street and Almond Street were gone. They sat in piles as bulldozers and excavators stood nearby.

Syracuse, N.Y. — Drivers along Erie Boulevard East near downtown Syracuse are seeing a changed landscape this week as construction crews begin removing trees for the Interstate 81 Viaduct project.