Scranton Beltway Total Reconstruction

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, in collaboration with PennDOT, is developing preliminary plans to link Interstate 81 and the Turnpike's Northeastern Extension, Interstate 476, in the Scranton area to form a beltway that will increase the utilization of I-476, and help ease congestion on I-81 and local roads. The plan calls for highway-speed connections that will enable motorists to seamlessly drive from interstate to interstate in northbound and southbound directions.

The project will include two separate connections between Interstate 476 and Interstate 81:
• Clarks Summit to the north of Scranton in South Abington Township, Lackawanna County
• Wyoming Valley to the south of Scranton in the Borough of Dupont and Pittston Township, Luzerne County

The preliminary cost estimate for the direct connections at Wyoming Valley and Clarks Summit is approximately $160 million (Feasibility Study, 2015).

Yes. A public meeting is anticipated in the Spring/Summer 2022. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide their comments and/or concerns on the preliminary plans for the project before the project proceeds into final design.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) is in the Preliminary Engineering Phase of the project, and currently does not have enough information to know which properties will be impacted. Preliminary Engineering will take approximately two (2)-years to complete. Following Preliminary Engineering, the Commission will hold a public meeting and more information regarding potential property impacts will be available.

In addition to coordinating with the local townships, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and PennDOT are working with local, state and federal regulatory agencies such as the Lackawanna and Luzerne County Conservation Districts, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to make sure the environment is factored into the project design.

Yes. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) coordinates work schedules with PennDOT. PennDOT is working with the Commission, and will review project plans developed during preliminary engineering and final engineering design. The Commission also coordinates work schedules with the local municipalities (including emergency service providers).

We encourage you to visit the project website periodically for up-to-date project information. Project newsletters will provide up to date information on the preliminary design progress and will be posted in the News & Public Involvement.

No, it is a totally independent project to address the Edella Road bridge. Being in poor condition, this bridge is to be replaced starting spring 2019. This bridge replacement project is not part of the Scranton Beltway project, but is part of the Commission's statewide program to address structurally deficient bridges.