Safety upgrades are now complete along the Onondaga Lake Parkway, aimed at reducing crashes between over-height vehicles and a low-clearance railroad bridge.
Kathy Hochul announced the improvements this week, saying the changes are designed to prevent trucks and other tall vehicles from striking the CSX Transportation bridge near Liverpool and the Town of Salina in Onondaga County. Construction on the project began in June 2023.
The state installed a series of new safety features, including an upgraded over-height detection system with additional sensors, larger LED warning signs that activate when tall vehicles approach, and permanent variable message boards to alert drivers in both directions. Traffic lanes near the bridge have also been narrowed to slow vehicles and give drivers more time to react.
The northbound Interstate 81 Exit 24A ramp to the parkway, which closed in spring 2023, will remain shut down until a long-term solution is in place to keep over-height vehicles from entering the roadway.
According to the New York State Department of Transportation, bridge strikes along the parkway have been declining. The agency reported 11 strikes in 2023, followed by seven in 2024 and eight in 2025.
In addition to the physical upgrades, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is rolling out new regulations that take effect Monday. Drivers cited for operating over-height vehicles or hitting bridges will now receive eight points on their licenses. Previously, those violations did not carry points.
State officials say the combined measures are intended to reduce crashes, protect infrastructure, and improve safety for everyone traveling along the parkway. The DOT is also reminding drivers to check their vehicle height before using the route.
