Morning commute on I-81 returns to normal in Syracuse

Syracuse - With the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 through Syracuse re-open, thousands of drivers were able to travel freely through the city this morning.

The state transportation department reopened a 1-mile section of Interstate 81's northbound lanes early Saturday afternoon.

The agency shut down that stretch on Feb. 26 when bricks began falling from a dilapidated building next to the highway. The closure forced detours for about 50,000 motorists who use the highway each day.

The building demolition is expected to be completely torn down by midweek, with cleanup work to take another couple weeks.