I-81 blockage

Finally, a Syracuse building that has impeded traffic on a northbound stretch of Interstate 81 is being torn down.

A demolition crew began taking down the 120-year-old former brewery earlier this week. A one-mile section of interstate had been closed since Feb. 26 after the three-story brick building began to topple, threatening traffic.

Inaction resulted for several days while the city of Syracuse and the state of New York decided just who should address the problem and who would pay for it.

Meanwhile, 50,000 motorists were diverted daily to side streets. Through-traffic headed north was out of luck. Out-of-town drivers had to negotiate their way through unfamiliar streets in many cases.

The inconvenience is expected to end soon.