Pocono News Section

PennDOT Announces $300+ Million in Projects

PennDOT Announces $300+ Million in Projects - Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 04:05AM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Tuesday March 30 2010
For drivers who hope to hop on I-81 South from I-80 Westbound, think again. One of PennDOT's biggest projects this year is fixing the bridge along the ramp, forcing an 8-mile detour until December.

"The detour is over Interstate 80 and won't take that much additional time," said Richard Cochrane, Assistant District Executive for Construction with PennDOT.

We found traffic backed up at the detour, which takes drivers south on Route 93 to the Interstate 81 Junction in West Hazleton.

"It's making it rough to drive," said Darrell Wampole of Wisconsin. "Trying to figure out where you're going, everybody's going in circles, trying to get around. We've got this trailer on - it don't make it easy."

"It's a whole bunch of inconveniences," said John Thomas, a truck driver who comes through at least 2 or 3 times a month. "That's how I get home. I live in Florida."

"Yes, it's a bit of an inconvenience, but that work needs to get done, and we need to get it done this year," said Cochraine.

In Lackawanna County, bridge repairs on River Street will affect that road, as well as I-81 through the summer. The St. Mary's Cemetery bridges along I-81 in both directions in Moosic will be replaced. PennDOT says drivers should see lane closures only at night.

In Pike County, the Route 6 bridge over the Delaware River at Matamoras and Port Jervis will be rehabbed.

Much of the work in District 4 is aimed at improving the state's deficient bridges one at a time.

For the latest on road conditions, dial 511 from your cell phone or copy and paste the following into your web browser: http://www.511pa. com/