News

October 7

Plans for street draw criticism

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Residents concerned about the proposed River Street Corridor Improvement Project asked a lot of questions Thursday, but many of them came away unsure if their suggestions will be seriously considered.

About 60 people attended the presentation at Wilkes University’s Henry Student Center to listen to officials from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennoni & Associates, project managers, and Luzerne County describe the estimated $2 million project that will calm traffic on the busy downtown street and improve pedestrian safety.

According to PennDOT, Pennoni and Jim Brozena, executive director of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority, the project will reduce the number of lanes on River Street between Ross and North streets from four to two and install islands – landscaped, concrete and refuge -- in addition to crosswalks. The traffic signalization system will also be adjusted, the officials said.

Many residents said the narrowing of the lanes will cause significant traffic congestion as vehicles try to make their way in and out of the city’s downtown.

They also expressed concern for emergency vehicles, wide-turning trucks and buses, and short merging allowances.

“This project is flawed,” said Ed Gustitus of Kingston. “Who’s going to maintain these islands? Is this about calming traffic or making the River Common more beautiful?”

Steve Sartori of Pennoni said the project is in the preliminary design stage. He said final design will begin in December with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2014.

“That’s why we are here tonight,” Sartori said. “We want to hear your concerns and review them and incorporate them into the project.”

Residents said they felt the effects of the project could be tested on a trial basis by mapping out the proposed changes and studying how traffic would be impacted.

Chris O’Donnell, a resident of South River Street, said recent traffic changes near the Hotel Sterling have made negotiating River Street difficult, forcing many vehicles to seek alternate routes to travel relatively short distances.

“This project will have a horrendous affect on downtown businesses,” O’Donnell said. “Right now traffic there is a nightmare. This project will make it worse and more unsafe for pedestrians. The project appears to be ill-conceived.”

Some residents felt the presenters came unprepared and they asked if they could see the original traffic studies used to plan the project. PennDOT officials said they will make them available on the department’s website.

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