Front Street Intersection, I-81 Exit to Reopen for Spiedie Fest

An Interstate 81 exit and a section of Front Street will be back in service in time for the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally at Otsiningo Park.

According to the state Department of Transportation, the Exit 5 ramp from southbound I-81 to Front Street will reopen on Thursday.

The agency said the intersection of Front Street and Old Front Street also will be open to traffic that day.

The exit ramp and part of Front Street have been out of service for construction of another roundabout as part of a highway improvement project.

This new roundabout is expected to be open for traffic on August 4. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

While work on the project continues, signs will advise drivers traveling south on Interstate 81 to use Exit 6 or Exit 4A in order to access Front Street.

People traveling north on I-81 should follow the posted detour to Exit 6 in order to reach Front Street.

Construction work at the I-81 interchange near Old Front Street on July 25, 2022. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Those heading south on Front Street also will be detoured away from the construction area.

Spiedie Fest coordinator Dave Pessagno said the DOT has "been great" in assuring him that people going to the event will not encounter problems getting to Otsiningo.

The opening of the new roundabout will come a few weeks after another Front Street traffic circle became operational.

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

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