Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Repaving, road expansion and new bridges suggested to Transportation Commission.
WILKES-BARRE – Local officials and state elected leaders know money is tight right now, but that didn’t stop them from asking for the Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission for money and consideration for projects that local leaders feel should be included in the commission’s transportation improvement program.
Every two years the commission holds a series of hearings across the state to get people’s input on various transportation issues to determine which projects will be considered for state funding.
Projects are prioritized based on a series of criteria including economic needs and safety, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokeswoman Karen Dussinger said.
Money is needed for repaving projects, expansion of roadways for safety purposes, construction of new bridges and new roadways to serve as alternate routes into highly congested areas, speakers pointed out during Thursday’s hearing in Wilkes-Barre.
Representatives from U.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey Jr. asked for the commission’s support of rail passenger train service from New York City to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, told commission members the projects being proposed for the region must be funded to combat recent job losses and economic setbacks.
“We need a strong commitment and response from transportation officials today to accelerate the priority list of projects that will have a positive impact on job creation and safety in our communities,” Baker said.
While some of the structurally deficient bridges are being repaired using federal stimulus money from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, there are still many more Luzerne County bridges damaged in the 2006 floods that still need to be repaired.
Baker asked that safety and access improvements planned for Route 239 in Conyngham be added because it is an evacuation route for the PPL Susquehanna nuclear plant and an interstate detour route. Congestion and safety issues also need to be addressed for a roundabout intersection in Dallas on Route 415 and redesign of the intersection leading to the Dallas School District complex, she said.
State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Avoca, mentioned projects that need to be considered in his territories of Monroe and Luzerne counties, including an airport connector road between the Grimes Industrial Park and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
He also asked that discussions start for a new bridge to connect Pittston and West Pittston because the Firefighters Memorial Bridge “can’t last much longer.”
The aging metal bridge already has weight restrictions on it and the concrete Fort Jenkins bridge, less than half-a-mile away, cannot last forever, Carroll said.
He added he wants to see increased dialogue involving the municipalities, county and state so the type and size of bridge to replace the aging structures can be determined.
“The Firefighters Memorial Bridge is near the end of its useful life. Now is the time to start a formal plan. I want to have a plan in place before we get to the mad scramble,” he said.
Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Lew Dryfoos III explained to commission members it was imperative funding be received to build a one-mile road extending Route 424 from Interstate 81 to the Humboldt Industrial Park to serve as a safety emergency exit.
Route 924 is now the only main roadway into and out of the ever-growing industrial park and Eagle Rock Resort.