YATESVILLE — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission updated plans for its Scranton Beltway project in Luzerne County but members of the public remain skeptical.
Officials added a 360-foot-long stormwater basin to the proposed Wyoming Valley Interchange in Dupont to handle water runoff from the proposed construction project. They added a 900-foot-long noise wall and included the new Suscon Road Bridge in Pittston, completed in 2023. They are also working with Dupont borough officials on a project to restore Collins Creek.
Turnpike representatives unveiled the plans at a public hearing Wednesday at Pittston Area High School, the latest for the $236 million project designed to connect the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476) to Interstate 81 near the Dupont-Pittston Twp. border and in South Abington Twp.
Nick Noss, senior engineer project manager for the commission, said the basin will control stormwater and ensure no additional runoff.
Kevin Scheurich, the commission’s assistant chief engineer for design, said the changes were made following public input and to comply with updated regulations for stormwater. He said the new stormwater basin is able to hold enough water that planners were able to eliminate some other basins that would have impacted property owners near the interchange.
“So a win for the residents, a win for the turnpike, and we’re really excited to move this project forward,” Scheurich said.
Members of the public examine information boards about the Scranton Beltway project at a public information session Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at Pittston Area High School.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Lorraine Piechota of Dupont speaks during public testimony on the Scranton Beltway project Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at Pittston Area High School.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Nicholas Noss, senior engineer project manager for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, speaks prior to public testimony Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at Pittston Area High School. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
South Abington Twp. resident Cheryl Sempa Radkiewicz speaks during public testimony on the Scranton Beltway project Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at Pittston Area High School.(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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Members of the public examine information boards about the Scranton Beltway project at a public information session Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 at Pittston Area High School.
(Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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Public questions project
Although commission officials said they factored public input into the design, people who spoke Wednesday feared the project would adversely affect them and wondered if there were other ways to improve traffic conditions on I-81. The project has drawn public skepticism and opposition, as the commission plans to acquire multiple properties and easements for traffic lanes, sound barriers and other features. Noss said meetings on the acquisitions will start next year.
South Abington Twp. resident Cheryl Sempa Radkiewicz, whose property would be acquired, scolded the commission for targeting the properties, which she said are mostly owned by senior citizens. She added there are few vehicles on the turnpike and most residents don’t use the Northeast Extension because they have to pay a toll.
“I cannot even fathom why this project’s even being considered,” she said.
Several people who spoke wondered whether the commission would look at the feasibility of adding another interchange at the existing Moosic exit of I-81.
Lorraine Piechota of Dupont shared concern that the noise barrier isn’t big enough, adding there is “an overabundance” of noise in the borough because of I-81 and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.
“It seems sorely inadequate,” she said. “There’s just safety ramifications and noise ramifications that have really not been addressed fully.”
Other Dupont residents said prior to the public testimony they appreciated that the revised plans reduced the number of properties in the borough that would be acquired, but shared skepticism about the project. They believe adding an additional lane to I-81 would make more sense and cost less money.
Alleviating congestion
The project — construction on which is expected to start in 2031 — includes connector ramps at the Wyoming Valley and Clarks Summit interchanges, new bridges, culvert extensions, retaining walls, sound barriers and stormwater management facilities. The commission designed it to reduce congestion on I-81, with connections allowing motorists to drive between I-81 and I-476.
The commission believes that creating the links between the highways will be more convenient, attract more vehicles onto the Northeast Extension and help ease congestion on I-81. More than 70,000 vehicles a day use portions of I-81 through the Scranton region, while the Northeast Extension carries about 10,000 vehicles a day.
Noss warned at Wednesday’s hearing that future growth in the region, particularly truck traffic, and events and venues in Scranton that bring visitors, will worsen conditions on I-81. The project would also allow motorists to more easily exit I-81, as opposed to the current layout of exits, which he said contributes to a high number of crashes.
Funding for the Scranton Beltway Project is through Act 89 of 2013, the state’s comprehensive transportation funding measure.
The hearing was the third the commission has held on the project, following two hearings in 2024. Scheurich said testimony from all the hearings will be taken into account.
The project is currently in its preliminary engineering phase, pending a review by the Federal Highway Administration. If the FHA finds there are no issues with the project, it will move to its final design phase.
Public testimony will be accepted on the project website at paturnpike.com/traveling/construction/site/scranton-beltway through Nov. 20.