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Scranton Beltway Project Nears Completion, Promising to Ease Congestion and Boost Safety

The Scranton Beltway Project is set to ease congestion and improve safety along the I-81 corridor. With truck traffic expected to increase by 72% by 2040, the project's timely completion is crucial.

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This picture is clicked outside the city. At the bottom, we see the road. On either side of the...
This picture is clicked outside the city. At the bottom, we see the road. On either side of the road, we see the poles and the buildings. On the left side, we see the people are standing. Beside them, we see a trolley cart. On the right side, we see a man and the women are standing on the footpath. Behind them, we see a purple color garbage bin. We see the flower pots. There are buildings, trees and the flower pots in the background.

Scranton Beltway Project Nears Completion, Promising to Ease Congestion and Boost Safety

The Scranton Beltway Project, a major infrastructure initiative, aims to tackle congestion, enhance safety, and boost freight movement along a crucial tri-state corridor in Pennsylvania. The project, set to link Interstate 81 with the PA Turnpike's Northeast Extension (I-476) near Scranton, is nearing its final stages of the Preliminary Design Phase, with Environmental Assessment (EA) hearings recently held.

The project's necessity stems from multiple I-81 corridor segments between Exit 175 and Exit 194 operating at or near capacity during peak commuting hours. The area has witnessed approximately 400 crashes near the Wyoming Valley and Clarks Summit interchanges due to its 20 conflict points. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) hosted two public hearings on 15 November, providing opportunities for public feedback on the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the project.

The project is expected to address these issues by creating a direct link between I-81 and I-476 at two locations near Scranton. This will not only ease congestion but also improve safety and support enhanced freight movement. The project leaders, while not explicitly named, include officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Mark Compton expressed pride in the PA Turnpike's partnership in addressing the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure needs. The project's EA hearings are part of the Preliminary Design Phase's final stages, expected to conclude in early 2025. With an anticipated 72% increase in truck traffic by 2040, the project's timely completion is crucial to prevent further congestion.

The Scranton Beltway Project, with its final Environmental Assessment hearings concluded, moves towards its next phase. This project promises to significantly improve traffic flow, safety, and freight movement along the I-81 corridor, addressing the critical transportation needs of the region. The project's leaders, though unnamed, are committed to enhancing Pennsylvania's infrastructure, with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission playing a pivotal role.

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