Binghamton’s “Big Dip” on I-81 Posing More Challenges for DOT

Work crews are back on Interstate 81 in Binghamton trying to address a vexing situation involving sinking pavement.

What's been described as a "big dip" has been noticeable to drivers traveling south on the highway for the last couple of years.

The problem spot is near the Brandywine Highway, a short distance from the troubled I-81 bridge over Chenango Street.

The state Department of Transportation last spring assigned workers to assess the issue and to take steps to fix the problem.

But the trouble is continuing on that section of the highway. In response to an inquiry from WNBF News, the agency wrote that it has "closed the right lane of Interstate 81 southbound by the Brandywine Highway (State Route 7) while crews undertake temporary repairs to address settlement issues that were similar to what occurred a year ago at this location."

The DOT expects the lane will be reopened "by next week and will determine a further course of action once a more thorough analysis of the site is completed."

It's not clear what is causing the highway pavement to dip or buckle.

Problems with rapid sinking of the I-81 bridge over Chenango Street resulted in a multi-million-dollar repair project. The street under the bridge was closed for nearly 15 months while the work was underway.

The section of interstate highway where the sinking has been occurring was constructed during the massive Prospect Mountain improvement project about a decade ago.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.