DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced a long-term pavement replacement and restoration project along portions of Interstates 81 and 84 in Lackawanna County.
According to PennDOT, preliminary work began Monday, March 16, with tree trimming in the City of Scranton and the Borough of Dunmore. Lane restrictions are expected during the trimming work and while crews establish the limits of the construction zone.
Major construction is scheduled to begin April 1, 2026, and the multi-year project is expected to continue through 2031.
The project will replace deteriorated concrete pavement with new asphalt along roughly two miles of Interstate 81 in both directions between the President Biden Expressway (Exit 185) and the Drinker Street interchange (Exit 186).
Crews will also replace pavement on about two miles of Interstate 84/Interstate 380 between Route 435 and the I-81/Casey Highway (Route 6) interchange.
In addition to the mainline work, construction will include improvements to ramps connected to the Drinker Street, Tigue Street, and I-81/I-84/Casey Highway interchanges.
PennDOT says several supporting upgrades are also planned. Existing bridges and retaining walls will undergo maintenance repairs, and barriers and guide rails will be brought up to current safety standards. The project will also add a new area-wide Intelligent Transportation System designed to improve traffic monitoring and communication with drivers.
Another portion of the work includes about two miles of concrete pavement restoration on Interstate 81 between the I-81/Casey Highway interchange and the Olyphant Avenue overpass.
Officials say drivers should expect periodic lane restrictions during various phases of the project. PennDOT is encouraging motorists to plan for potential delays when traveling through the construction area.