A quick trip down the block can feel more like an obstacle course for many drivers in Scranton.
“Like a rollercoaster, and you mess up the front of our cars. It’s bad, it’s tough,” said William Howe, Scranton.
For neighbors at Valley View Terrace Apartments, the rough roads have become routine, and so have the costly issues that come along with them.
“We have to swerve and slow down and dip. I’ve actually lost about four tires,” said Faatimah Abram, Scranton.
But soon that bumpy ride could be smooth sailing as the city is taking bids for its 2026 paving project.
$2.5 million is allocated to the project in this year’s budget. Money that comes from the Commonwealth’s gas and fuel tax.
This comes as welcome news for Teneke Robinson, who just purchased a new car. “I recently got it. So I try my best to take my time when there’s a pothole. So I’m happy that the road is going to be fixed now, so I can drive smoothly,” she said.
More than a dozen areas will be paved, many of which are on the city’s west side.
A permanent fix that residents say is long overdue after this year’s wicked winter weather.
“Whenever they patch a little hole, in about two weeks it opens again. So the weather, the rain, or the snow will open it so they can fix it permanently, real good. So, that when the weather comes, it won’t break out again,” said Robinson.
After years of weaving through wear and tear, these residents are ready for a change.
“Why do we have to go through this? What’s going on, and when are you going to fix it? Are you going to do your due diligence to make sure we’re comfortable?” said Abram.
For those like Robinson who live along the projected paving list, the excitement is already building as relief is right around the corner. “It’s going to feel like I am driving in heaven,” she said.
The city looks to pave more than a dozen areas, including:
Atlanta Avenue, from Greenbush Street to Reese Street
Bristol Court, from East Market Street to Deacon Street
Byron Lane, from North Keyser Avenue to the dead end above Horatio Avenue
Clover Street, from West Market Street north to the dead end, and from Steele Street north to the dead end
Crossin Court, from Swetland Street to Oram Street
Donnelly Court, from Palm Street to Pear Street
Fig Street, from South Webster Avenue to Crown Avenue
Gilbert Street, from Rockwell Avenue to Leach Street
Hertz Court, from Hemlock Street to Orchard Street
Joseph Avenue, from Ash Street northeast to the dead end
Leach Street, from Gilbert Street northwest to the dead end
Matthew Avenue, from Ash Street to and including the cul-de-sac
Pear Street, from South Irving Avenue to Crown Avenue
Stipp Court, from Roselynn Street to East Gibson Street
Watrous Avenue, from Ash Street north to the dead end
The following paving projects may also include:
Hollow Avenue, from West Market Street to the Hollow Avenue bridge and to the cul-de-sac
Center Street, from Penn Avenue to Franklin Avenue