SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The New York State Department of Transportation today unveiled 16 options for Interstate 81 in Syracuse.

The options are variations on four themes: a boulevard, a tunnel, a depressed highway or a replacement viaduct. The department released the four variations of the tunnel option earlier this week.

State and federal transportation officials are at the beginning of a massive project to determine the future of I-81 in Syracuse. The elevated portion of the highway that runs near downtown will reach the end of its useful life in 2017. The construction project addresses that aging section, as well as improving the intersection with Interstate 690.



Here's more details on the options:

Street-level boulevards

Rebuild the elevated highway

Depressed highways

Tunnels

Related story: Public reacts to the 16 options for I-81

DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald said in January a final decision could come in 18 months.

Today's events include three informational meetings at the Everson Museum in Syracuse. The sessions begin at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. People can leave comments for state officials; there will not be a formal question-and-answer session at today's meetings.

Below is the full state DOT presentation on the options:

16 Options for I-81 Rebuild in Syracuse, NY - May 1, 2014

Contact Teri Weaver at tweaver@syracuse.com, 315-470-2274 or on Twitter at @TeriKWeaver.