Pocono News Section

Part of Route 309 To Be Re-Paved

Part of Route 309 To Be Re-Paved - Friday, September 18, 2009 at 5:19PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Friday, Sep 18, 2009 @ 05:19pm EDT

HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY -- When it rains, the stretch of Route 309 between the Airport Beltway and Diamond Avenue becomes unusally slick.

"We had multiple accidents one evening," said Hazleton Fire Chief Don Leshko. "We had like 6 or 7 accidents on the roadway."

He contacted PennDOT after a second round of accidents.

"Some of our guys reported just walking on the road was slippery in itself, so that's what made us think there was a problem with the roadway," added Leshko.

PennDOT crews then placed warning signs along Route 309 and laid down cinders. Now, they'll re-pave parts of that road using coarser material to avoid slickness. Officials say the process will begin in the coming weeks.