People in Syracuse have been talking about the Connective Corridor for years. But the only physical signs of the project that would run from the University Hill to downtown, so far, have been buses and bus stops. Now, as our Kat De Maria tells us, the Connective Corridor has new markers: Construction cones, which will eventually be replaced by art and culture.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. --The orange is pouring down the Syracuse University Hill, more specifically, down University Avenue. And it has nothing to do with school spirit.

"The secret is it's actually about arts and culture in the city. And we have these 35 or so wonderful art and cultural institutions across the city. And the idea of the Connective Corridor is we want to connect these wonderful institutions together," said Community Engagement Director Robbi Farschman.

In the first phase of the Connective Corridor project, improvements will come to University, Forman Park, Syracuse Stage, East Genesee Street and the Warehouse. There will be porous pavement and other green infrastructure, paths, fountains and landscaping. But for now, there are cones, cones and cones.

"There is a big effort and there are contractors out there, there is a lot of machinery out there. The lane configuration and traffic has changed. And we ask for everyone's patience who is up in that area," said Owen Kerney, deputy director of the city Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

So believe it or not, there will come a time when construction gives way to a bike path, new technology and more. And leaders say that time may be soon.

"I think when that bike path goes down in the spring and that red material goes down in the street, people will have a really good idea what that's going to look like," Farschman said.

"It's going to look a lot different. It's a big project. It's going to create a link," Kerney said.

Where there were cones, there will be art and space and a distinctive path from University and Waverly through the Near Westside and attractions along the way.

"I think people are going to start to see this is what the corridor is, it's about new technologies, it's about creative projects, we have people doing dynamic things in the community," Farschman said.

...On the SU hill and right on down through Syracuse.

The first phase of the Connective Corridor project will also make University Avenue a two-way street. The overall project has three phases, and is expected to be completed in 2014.