TimesLeader.com

August 5
I-81 road work planned

The following information is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation:


Exits 151-145: Southbound. Butler Twp, Luzerne County. Bridge repairs over Nescopeck Creek between Exit 151 (Stroudsburg/Bloomsburg) and Exit 145 (West Hazleton) Monday (8/4) through Thursday (8/7) DRIVERS ALERT: Watch for single lane restrictions and traffic control operations, 9am to 3pm. Weather permitting.

Exits 180-178A:  Bridge rehabilitation work is SOUTHBOUND with two lanes of travel. A stop sign on the ramp from Moosic controls merging traffic. Project includes construction of temporary crossovers and complete re-decking of three bridges between Exit 178A (Avoca) and Exit 180 (Moosic). Work is SOUTHBOUND ONLY. Northbound 81 has no restrictions at this time. NORTHBOUND work starts in fall 2008 or spring 2009. Crews will work through winter. Anticipated completion late summer 2009.

Exit 182-178: Southbound. Left lane CLOSED Wednesday (8/6) 7pm to 12am from Exit 182 (Davis Street) to Exit 178 (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport, Avoca) DRIVERS ALERT: Expect delays due to guide-rail work.

Exit 184 (River St) Off-ramp of I-81 NB: Construction continues on the widening of the River St. off-ramp at River St and East Mountain Rd. and the installation of a signal at the top of the ramp. Attention will be given to possible traffic backup on the ramp during peak times. DRIVERS ALERT: Watch for flagging and police presence enabling the safe and efficient movement of traffic through the work zone. No restrictions, work is in shoulder.

Exit 191A (Dickson City – Viewmont Mall): Northbound & Southbound re-decking of the bridge over Business Route 6. NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN: Traffic is shifted to the middle of the bridge. The outer lanes are closed with two lanes of travel. Be alert as motorists adjust to the change in traffic patterns.

Overpass On-Ramp to I-81 (the bridge over Routes 6 & 11 in Clarks Summit (Lackawanna County): Work begins late summer 2008, and will be open to traffic inbound to Clarks Summit only. DRIVERS ALERT: To enter I-81 via Routes 6 & 11 South, traffic will use to the Dickson City Interchange by the Viewmont Mall. Anticipated completion is December 2008.

Exits 191-194: NORTHBOUND & SOUTHBOUND. Bridge and road repairs continue between Exit 191(Dickson City/Scranton Expressway) and Exit 194 (Clarks Summit). DRIVERS’ ALERT! WATCH FOR SIGNS DIRECTING MOTORISTS TO USE BOTH LANES THROUGH THE MERGE POINT. WATCH FOR MESSAGE BOARDS PROVIDING LENGTH OF TIME FOR TRAVEL THROUGH WORK ZONE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE STOP SIGNS ON ENTRANCE RAMPS TO I-81 NB & SB BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION CONFIGURATION. PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE WILL BE ENFORCING SPEED LIMITS WITHIN THE WORKZONE AND PATROLLING FOR AGGRESSIVE DRIVER BEHAVIOR IN THIS AREA. TWO SETS OF TRAFFIC SENSOR DETECTORS, CAMERAS AND MESSAGE BOARDS. AID WITH TRAFFIC COMMUNICATION. Work includes over 5 miles and 11 bridges Northbound between Exits 191 and 194 & Southbound between Exits 191A and 197. TWO LANES ARE OPEN NB, with periodic lane restrictions for completion. SINGLE LANE SOUTHBOUND.
Included are
Mile 192 over Route 442, Burcher Ave (2 bridges)
Mile 193 over Route 1027, Layton Rd. (2 bridges)
Mile 194 over Route 4019, Edella Rd. (2 bridges)
Mile 195 over Route 4028, Fairview Rd. (2 bridges)
Route 632 over I-81 N& S, Exit 197 (Waverly)
Route 1031 over I-81 N& S
Route 2109 over I-81 – ROAD CLOSED thru summer. DETOUR: JOHNSON ROAD. (2 MILES)

Exit 194 (Clarks Summit) Turnpike Construction: The Clarks Summit TURNPIKE Toll Plaza off Exit 194 (Clarks Summit) is adding 2 lanes, one in each direction northbound & southbound. Expected completion: November 2008.  DRIVERS ALERT: Plaza will always be open but could be restricted occasionally. Only one available lane in each direction for truck traffic.