A judge on Tuesday ruled that the process of the Interstate 81 project in Syracuse can continue but no demolition can take place until further environmental impact studies are conducted to address some deficiencies outlined in a lawsuit filed last fall by the group Renew 81 For All.

State Supreme Court Justice Gerard Neri ruled the state Department of Transportation must now account for potential regional traffic and population changes that the $100 billion Micron project will make in the coming years.

In addition, Neri said that, despite the admission from state officials that traffic would “increase substantially” on the present Interstate 481, which would have north-south traffic diverted to it, scant evidence of reviewing the I-481 corridor appears in the EIS and specifically the air quality review sections. 

“The decision creates uncertainty and overrides a comprehensive and established state and federal regulatory process," Syracuse Chief Policy Officer Greg Loh said in a statement Tuesday. "The City is considering how it will proceed and will confer with the New York State Department of Transportation relative to this matter.”​

The initial phases of the project can move forward, including work on the northern interchange, the southern interchange and northern local streets.

The state can continue to perform maintenance and safety projects in the mean time, but can't begin demolishing the current highway until the new studies are finalized.

The state Transportation Department (DOT) responded in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, saying it was reviewing the court’s decision and determining its next steps.

"In the meantime, we are moving forward with contracts as part of the I-81 viaduct project, per the court’s decision," the DOT statement said.