Motorists traveling on Interstate 81 in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties should prepare for multiple work zones and traffic shifts beginning today, Monday, April 27. PennDOT has announced that scheduled utility work in Luzerne County will cause lane restrictions and rolling slowdowns in both directions between Exit 141, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Beltway, and Exit 143 for Route 924. These restrictions are slated to remain in place daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thursday, April 30.
Simultaneously, a major multi-year restoration project is ramping up in Lackawanna County. Construction crews began work last night on the President Biden Expressway, reducing the roadway to a single lane. This effort is part of a 124 million dollar pavement and restoration initiative for the Interstate 81 and 84 interchange that is expected to continue through 2031.
Additional delays are expected on Interstate 81 northbound from the Biden Expressway to Drinker Street, where the roadway has been narrowed to one lane for the installation of concrete barriers. While PennDOT aims to maintain two lanes of travel in most areas during the project, drivers are advised to anticipate significant congestion and consider alternate routes during peak daytime and nighttime work hours.
