1. A method, comprising: analyzing a via layout, the analyzing comprising: identifying each via in the via layout; for each via, identifying: a location therefor in the layout, whether the via is redundant and a layout configuration therefor, the layout configuration being based on a predetermined area surrounding the via; classifying the vias into a plurality of bins based on layout configuration; for each bin of redundant vias, determining possible via replacement candidates, and ranking the candidates according to one or more first criteria; for each via in each bin having at least one via replacement candidate, identifying an optimal replacement from among the ranked candidates taken in ranked order that first satisfies one or more second criteria; and for each via in each bin with an identified optimal replacement, updating the via layout.