I-81 Northbound Lane Closures Begin in Broome County

If you drive I-81 through Broome County on a regular basis, you’re going to want to plan ahead this week. A major resurfacing project is getting underway, and it’s going to impact part of your daily commute.

What You’ll See Starting Today

Beginning today, Monday, April 20, the New York State Department of Transportation says you can expect right lane closures on I-81 northbound between exits 16 and 21.

That means slower traffic, possible backups, and a little extra patience needed, especially during peak travel times.

The Full Scope of the Project

This isn’t just a quick fix. Crews are working on a $19 million resurfacing project that stretches nearly 9 miles, from Exit 13B near Front Street to Exit 21 in Castle Creek.

It’s a heavily traveled stretch of highway that thousands of people rely on every single day, so the goal here is to improve the road long-term, even if it means short-term inconvenience.

How Crews Are Trying to Minimize the Headache

The work will be done in phases to help keep traffic moving as much as possible. You’ll also see a lot of the construction happening overnight when traffic is lighter.

There will even be pauses or adjustments during major local events, including Spiedie Fest and the Balloon Rally, to avoid making those already busy weekends even more stressful.

How Long This Will Last

The timeline stretches all the way into winter 2026, so this is something you’ll be dealing with on and off for a while.

It’s one of those “it’ll be worth it in the end” situations, but getting there may take some planning on your part.

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Plan Ahead Starting Now

If I-81 northbound is part of your routine, give yourself a little extra time starting now. Lane closures will come and go throughout the project, so building in a few extra minutes now is a lot easier than getting caught off guard.

It’s a stretch of road thousands of people count on every day, and after this, it’ll actually be worth the wait.