Business operators in Syracuse are concerned about construction cutting into their sales. Ongoing construction on Burnet Avenue and Lodi Street is causing issues for business owners as they say customers are having a hard time navigating to their stores. Owners and a city councilman shared why they’re frustrated with the state’s Department of Transportation.

“Every week, they say this will be the last week. They said that this week. But here, it’s still closed. But they say for sure, next week,” said Al Poushter, president of Ra-Lin.

What You Need To Know

Businesses on Burnet Ave in Syracuse are concerned about customers’ ability to reach their stores
The owner of one business, Ra-Lin, claims it’s lost tens of thousands of dollars due to the construction

NYSDOT said work on contract four will be finished in the fall of 2027

Ra-Lin has been located at Burnet Ave in Syracuse for more than 65 years.

“Our corner at Lodi and Burnet has pretty much been closed off for almost a month. And then it’s hard on the other side from the Crouse and Burnet side because it basically says for local traffic and people get confused and they’re afraid to drive down,” said Poushter.

He said over the last couple of months, sales have suffered.

“We’ve lost a lot of business, tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of business, because people have not been able to really get to the store and find us,” said Poushter.

Down the street is CNY Uniforms Plus. Tai Shaw is the owner, and he says he’s been dealing with issues for more than a year.

“And I thought it’s temporary and block one block after another block and then continue, continue. There’s a spot right in the middle right there they dig five, six times,” said Shaw.

Shaw said sometimes cones block off the entrance to his parking lot, and he repeatedly has asked workers to push the blockage back to allow access. It wasn’t blocked the day Spectrum News 1 visited, which was a state holiday and the construction site was not active.

“We pick up the phone constantly to tell them we’re still here, we’re still here, you know? So, they think we’re closed because of the construction. I can’t even get in my own parking lot,” said Shaw.

“I want to point out that these businesses are local. These are locally owned businesses. These are not a corporation,” said Marty Nave, 1st District councilor in the city of Syracuse.

Nave wants the New York state Department of Transportation to communicate better with businesses.

“Progress is being made but always comes at a cost. It’s going to affect people, maybe great but it’s going to affect people. Not always for the good,” said Nave.

A statement from the state Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) reads:

“Construction as part of the I-81 Viaduct Project’s contract four includes replacing the Lodi Street bridge along Interstate 690 to accommodate the realignment of the highway as a result of a new interchange between North Crouse and Irving Avenues.

Burnet Avenue and Lodi Street are being reconstructed, including replacing aging water and sewer infrastructure, and resurfaced. Additionally, work includes installing new mast arm poles with video detection signals at the streets intersection, constructing ADA accessible pedestrian and cyclist amenities including new sidewalks and crosswalks with pedestrian poles.

The New York State Department of Transportation appreciates the public’s patience as we undertake this complex and transformational project and we are continually working to minimize the disruptions to local businesses and residents. Our team is committed to engaging with all stakeholders on the I -81 Viaduct project and we have consistently made ourselves available to discuss issues as they arise, including nights and weekends. 

NYSDOT requires contractors to maintain access to businesses and residences at all times, including installing “Business Open” signs, and upon completion of work, returning access points to what they were pre-construction, if not better.”

“When I talked to the construction people, they say three months. I can’t go another three months. You know, this is not right. This is not right,” said Shaw.

“Once the construction is over, which we don’t think will be that much longer, and we’ll go back to be full business and looking forward to that,” said Poushter.

NYSDOT said work on contract four will be finished in the fall of 2027.