SCRANTON, PA — Drivers who regularly travel through North Scranton began navigating a major disruption today as a heavily trafficked section of North Main Avenue officially closed for a year-long bridge replacement project. The 36-foot bridge, which crosses over Leggetts Creek in the 2700 block, will be completely off-limits to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until the winter of 2026.
The $6.4 million project, a collaboration between the City of Scranton and PennDOT, involves the total removal and reconstruction of the 126-year-old span. Crews have already begun moving heavy equipment into the area between Marvine Avenue and Watkins Street to initiate the demolition phase. This bridge is the final piece of the "Scranton Local Bridge Project," a four-bridge initiative that previously completed work on the West Lackawanna Avenue, Parker Street, and East Elm Street bridges.
To manage the flow of the thousands of vehicles that cross the creek daily, a 2.1-mile primary detour has been established. Motorists are being redirected from North Main Avenue to Parker Street and along Boulevard Avenue to reconnect with Main Avenue at "Dickson Corners" near NBT Bank in Dickson City. Local residents on blocks like Marvine Avenue are bracing for a significant influx of "unofficial" detour traffic as drivers attempt to navigate through neighborhood side streets to avoid the main construction zone.
To help mitigate the impact of the increased traffic on the detour route, city officials have installed a new traffic signal at the intersection of Boulevard Avenue and Parker Street. Additionally, traffic signal timing adjustments are being implemented from Commerce Boulevard to the Interstate 81 on-ramp near Schiff’s. Truck traffic is strictly required to avoid the local detours and should instead use Interstate 81 via Exit 191A (Route 6 Business) or Exit 190 (Main Avenue) to reach their destinations.