Pocono News Section

W-B Riverfront Project Ahead of Schedule

W-B Riverfront Project Ahead of Schedule - Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 5:39PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008 @ 05:39pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- We are very close to seeing a big Luzerne County project wrap up. In a few months, part of downtown Wilkes-Barre will be transformed.

The Luzerne County Riverfront Project is running ahead of schedule. Work is expected to wrap up a few months at the most.

It's a long time coming too. The Wilkes-Barre levee along the Susquehanna River was built in 1936, and there hasn't been a riverfront attraction since. But that's about to change very soon. On the banks, construction workers are busy. Janice Piasta of Luzerne said, "I'd like to see it be finished already. They keep doing and undoing, but it will be nice once it's done. People can walk and get outdoors and get more exercise."

The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry says the project is ahead of schedule. Work should finish by the end of this year, and the riverfront should open by spring.

People who walk past it everyday think that's great news. Earnest Taylor of Kingston said, "I think they're coming along pretty good personally. I can't wait til it's all done I want to see what it's like and go down there to be a part of it."

The chamber also says the project is staying within its budget. The one mile stretch price tag is about $35-million. Walking paths, and amphitheater and a boat launch is in the final design.

The long term idea is to have a successful waterfront spread into downtown. "That's the type of small friendly town that people want today and going to want for the next 20 or 30 years at least. And so the Riverfront is this massive front door," said the chamber’s Todd Vonderheid.