NYSDOT Unveils Draft 2050 Master Plan, Emphasizing Equity, Resilience and Urban Connectivity in Syracuse

Dave McCleary
16 hours ago
3 min read

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has released its Draft 2050 Transportation Master Plan, outlining a sweeping vision for a safer, more equitable and sustainable multimodal transportation network across the state. With a renewed emphasis on community-centered design and long-term resilience, the plan pays special attention to the unique challenges facing urban areas like Syracuse.

The 2050 Master Plan, open for public comment, presents six overarching goals: safety, community responsiveness, efficiency, accessibility, environmental stewardship, and economic competitiveness. NYSDOT officials say the plan builds on lessons learned from the past while incorporating emerging technologies, climate realities, and shifting travel behaviors.

Centering Communities

At the heart of the plan is a “community-centered” approach that focuses on enhancing people’s access to jobs, education, healthcare and other essential services regardless of location, income or ability. This includes efforts to reconnect communities historically harmed by transportation infrastructure, a central issue in Syracuse, where the I-81 viaduct project is already underway.

The master plan explicitly highlights the I-81 project as a national example of restorative infrastructure. The decades-old highway, which cut through and isolated predominantly Black neighborhoods in Syracuse, is being replaced with a “community grid” designed to restore connectivity, reduce traffic impacts, and foster economic revitalization.

Syracuse and Central New York

For Syracuse and the broader Central New York region, the plan identifies strategic investments to improve public transit, road safety, pedestrian and bicycle access, and multimodal connectivity. The area, with a population of about 785,000 and an urbanization rate of 67%, sees 10.8% of households lacking access to a personal vehicle—underscoring the need for affordable and accessible transportation alternatives.

The plan supports enhanced bus service through providers like Centro and calls for better integration of regional transit, ridesharing, and micro-mobility options such as e-scooters and bike-sharing. It also encourages investments in sidewalk and bike infrastructure that connect neighborhoods to employment centers, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Equity and Environmental Justice

NYSDOT's draft explicitly addresses racial and economic disparities in past infrastructure planning. Citing the displacement of minority and low-income communities due to mid-20th-century highway construction, the plan commits to prioritizing investments in “traditionally underserved” areas. These include urban centers like Syracuse, which were disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of highway expansion.

The plan aligns with New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by promoting electrification, clean fuels, and reducing transportation emissions—especially in urban areas burdened by air pollution.

Community Input and Next Steps

The draft was shaped by input from over 2,500 residents, including those engaged through public surveys, events at the New York State Fair, and regional pop-up events held in every economic development region, including Central New York. Community members expressed strong support for safer streets, better public transit, and more reliable transportation options.

The NYSDOT will hold virtual and in-person meetings over the coming months to gather further feedback before finalizing the plan later this year. Once adopted, the master plan will guide future investments and policies, with local partners—including the Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council—playing a key role in implementation.

To review the full plan or submit comments, visit the NYSDOT website or attend upcoming public forums announced through local and state channels.

Key Stats – Central New York (Including Syracuse)

Population: 785,114
Urban population: 67.2%
Households without a vehicle: 10.8%
Per-person annual transportation cost: $8,897
Primary commuting method: 75% drive alone; only 2% use public transit

Contact:

Public comments can be submitted online via https://nystransportationmasterplan.com/ through the public engagement portal. Virtual meetings will be announced later this summer

Click below to download a copy of the plan