Wilkes-Barre City Council is intensifying its push for a permanent traffic signal at the intersection of Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and the Cross Valley Expressway (Route 309) Exit 2 off-ramp. During a work session on Tuesday, council members reviewed a grim tally of safety data: more than 30 auto accidents—including one fatality—have occurred at the site since PennDOT removed a temporary signal that was in place during previous construction. Local officials have long argued that the removal of the light created a "danger zone" for motorists merging onto the busy boulevard from the southbound off-ramp.
Relief may be coming in the short term, as PennDOT recently announced a new bridge project on the North Cross Valley Expressway. This project includes plans to reinstall a temporary traffic signal at the Exit 2 intersection to manage traffic flow during the construction period. However, council members are determined to prevent history from repeating itself. At a February 10 meeting, two members confirmed they had already initiated talks with PennDOT officials about transitioning the upcoming temporary light into a permanent fixture. Council continues to urge residents to contact state representatives and PennDOT District 4 to advocate for the change, emphasizing that safety on the state-owned ramp should be a top priority.