Thursday marked the final day for the public comment period on the Interstate 81 project.

Area lawmakers and activists have been vocal lately regarding specific concerns about a roundabout in the plan.

The state Department of Transportation's latest plan, released in July, calls for tearing down the existing viaduct between Martin Luther King Jr. East and the I-690 interchange. Almond Street would be improved into a wider boulevard through the city. The remaining highway into Syracuse would be renamed Business Loop 81, with I-481 becoming the new I-81. In downtown, a new exit was added to Business Loop 81 to Colvin Street. The end of Business Loop 81 at Martin Luther King Jr. East is being changed to a roundabout instead of a traffic signal.

The roundabout at the school continues to be a part of the plan some want changed.

State Sen. Rachel May shared her comments that she submitted to the DOT, which include her request for reconsideration of the roundabout. It notes that residents of the nearby neighborhood are concerned the roundabout will increase traffic near the school.

She noted “well-documented” harm to students’ health when there is a major road way nearby.

During his monthly briefing, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh also mentioned his support to change the roundabout.

“We included a very specific comment in our response that recommends relocating the roundabout south of MLK and at least 600 feet from any school," Walsh said.

The NYCLU has historically supported the change of the roundabout plan. Assistant Director Lanessa Chaplin said she believes the DOT will create two new renderings for the locations of the roundabout.