Creekwalk Extension Project Phase 3

Project Goals

• Provide recreation opportunities and creek access as recommended by the Onondaga Creek Revitalization Plan
• Extend the Creekwalk Trail 3 miles though Southside and Valley (Total 8 trail miles from Onondaga Lake)
• Create safe off-road walking and biking opportunities; Provide a commuter route through city
• Improve access to Onondaga Creek for fishing, kayaking and canoeing
• Replace pedestrian bridges at Van Duyn and Clary/Chaffee

What Has Been Done So Far on the Project?

· Currently in design phase

· Public Outreach 2025 -

•  Project flyers mailed to 6,000 residences along corridor
•  Door-to-Door Outreach to 600 homes
• City Webpage

• Conceptual Project Route provided for public review and comment
• Public Meetings in spring to fall 2025
• Stakeholder Outreach
• First round of public input on conceptual plan through meetings, webpage and email

Conceptual Routing Map

 Creekwalk Phase 3 Map(PDF, 3MB)

Project Slideshow from Sept 2025 Meeting 

Syracuse-Creekwalk-Phase-III Slideshow(PDF, 3MB)

Creekwalk 3—Next Steps

· Survey creek corridor (Colvin St. to Dorwin Ave.)

· Conduct cultural and environmental investigations/assessments

· Identify right-of-way needed for the trail (95% is already city-owned); no people displaced or homes to be taken

· Develop Preferred Route Alternative based on public input, feasibility and  budget

· Public Outreach on Preferred Alternative—project meetings,  TNT meetings, webpage, Community Advisory Group

· Prepare design report and seek design approval from NYSDOT

Project Funding and Phasing

· Transportation Improvement Project

· 80% federal funding/20% City funding

· C&S Engineers—Engineer for Preliminary and Detailed Design -  $2 mill budget approx.

· Construction in 2 Phases:

¨ Phase 3.1 - Colvin St. to Ballantyne Rd.

¨ $ 2.6 mill. estimated construction

¨ Estimated Construction start 2027

¨ Phase 3.2 - Ballantyne Rd. to Dorwin Ave.

¨ $ 10.2 mill. estimated construction

¨ Estimated Construction start 2029

¨ Will also replace two pedestrian bridges

Conceptual Route Outreach | January 2025

• Conceptual Routing
• Public Outreach & Input
• Stakeholder Outreach

Preferred Alternative | Fall 2025

• Develop Preferred Alternative
• Public Outreach & Input
• Field Survey
• Environment/Cultural Investigations
• Identify Right-of-Way (ROW) needed
• Prepare Design Report
• NYSDOT Design Approval

Detailed Design | July 2026

• Start detailed design of trail, vegetation, amenities, bridges
• ROW purchase
• Federal/State funding agreements
• Common Council construction approval
• Public Outreach
• Complete final plans
• NYSDOT approval to advertise

Project Letting | Winter 2026/27

• Advertise project
• Public bid on project
• DBE and workforce goals
• Construction contract
• Public Updates

Phase 3.1 Construction Estimated Start - Spring 2027

• Colvin St. to Ballantyne Rd. trail construction
• Convert Onondaga Creek Blvd. to trail
• Secure Phase 3.2 funding
• Public Updates

Phase 3.2 Construction Estimated Start- Spring 2029

• Ballantyne Rd. to Dorwin Ave. trail construction
• Replace 2 pedestrian bridges
• Creek access improvements
• Public Updates

Project Complete | Estimated Fall 2030