Gas pains on River Road

PLAINS TWP. – The relocation of gas mains along River Road is causing traffic tie-ups but has not sparked concerns over potential delays in getting ambulances to nearby Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

UGI Penn Natural Gas began the project Monday and will continue for at least a week. River Road between Chestnut Street and the Waterfront Complex entrance is restricted to one lane during the project. Joseph Swope, a spokesman for the gas company, said the gas line relocation is necessary in preparation for a bridge repair project that is set to get under way next year.

Swope said the mains run along the bridge so they need to be moved to ensure customers will not experience service interruptions. He said 1,000 feet of line are being laid over the Middle Creek Arch and the current line will be abandoned.

When Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials announced the bridge work, which along with the replacement of another nearby bridge just north of the Waterfront Complex will cost about $5 million, the department said a temporary bridge will be built so River Road won’t need to be closed or restricted to one-lane for public safety issues.

But without a temporary bridge in place, UGI had no choice but to create a single-lane situation for a week.

Swope said he’s aware of the hospital’s proximity to the project and that the route is the most direct to the hospital for ambulances exiting the Cross Valley Expressway.

“Flag men are there and if a public safety vehicle would come through, they’ll give them priority and get them through the traffic and to the hospital in a timely manner,” Swope said.

Scott Neff, a Luzerne County 911 supervisor, said if the road was closed ambulance companies throughout the county would be informed to take an alternate route but since there is single-lane flow they have not been advised to avoid the area.

Ed Casaldi, with the county’s emergency management agency, said he has not heard any complaints from ambulance companies about the route and that signs warning motorists about delays at exit 2 of the Cross Valley were posted on I-81 and Route 309.

Kevin McDonald, a spokesman for the hospital, said there has not been any noticeable impact, nor has he heard any complaints from emergency room staff. He said the temporary one-lane traffic situation is nothing new.

“We’ve had construction around the hospital before and we’re confident ambulances will not have any problems getting patients here,” McDonald said.