PA Turnpike Hosts Public Hearings for Scranton Beltway
PA Turnpike Hosts Public Hearings for Scranton Beltway
Public comment period for Environmental Assessment open until December 6
Middletown, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will hold public hearings for the Scranton Beltway Project, specifically providing the public with an opportunity to provide feedback on the Environmental Assessment (EA). These hearings are part of the public comment period, which opened on October 28 and will remain open until December 6. One public hearing will be held for neighbors near the Wyoming Valley Interchange and a second public hearing will be held for neighbors near the Clarks Summit Interchange.
To ease congestion, improve safety and better support the flow of goods through a critical tri-state corridor in the Commonwealth, the Scranton Beltway Project will link Interstate 81 with the PA Turnpike’s Northeast Extension. The beltway will be formed by two connections linking the PA Turnpike and I-81 — one south of Scranton in Dupont Borough and Pittston Township and a second connection north of Scranton in South Abington Township.
The Scranton Beltway Environmental Assessment (EA) was developed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, a federal law that directs Federal agencies when planning projects to conduct environmental reviews to consider the potential impacts on the environment by their proposed actions. The hearings mark the end of preliminary design.
WHEN & WHERE:
Wyoming Valley Public Hearing
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Registration/Plans Display: 4:30 p.m.
Public Testimony: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pittston Area High School
5 Stout Street, Yatesville, PA 18640
Clarks Summit Public Hearing
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Registration/Plans Display: 4:30 p.m.
Public Testimony: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Abington Heights High School
222 Noble Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411
PUBLIC RSVP:
The public hearings will offer those in attendance the opportunity to provide feedback on the project in the form of official testimony. That testimony will be transcribed and then included in the EA Report. Those providing testimony are asked to register in advance by calling 215-922-8081 ext. 1678 or emailing scrantonbeltway@paturnpike.com. Registration for testimony will also be available at the hearing. Oral testimony will be limited to five minutes per participant and the number of slots will depend on available time. Individuals may provide testimony privately in a separate hearing room with a stenographer.
The meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. Anyone with questions or requiring special accommodations should contact Larry Mitros as soon as possible by phone at 215-922-8081 ext. 1678 or by email at scrantonbeltway@paturnpike.com.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Interviews with PA Turnpike representatives/project team members will be available prior to the event, from 3:45 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. For planning purposes, we are asking media to please RSVP to Marissa Orbanek (email above).
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com