​Virtual public meeting available online for 30 days; In-person public open house scheduled for Dec. 7.

  Dunmore, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is hosting an on-demand virtual public meeting for the I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges Project from noon on Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, 2021. The meeting can be accessed online by visiting www.penndot.gov/i80Nescopeck. An in-person public open house will take place on Dec. 7 in Nescopeck. 

The I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges project is a candidate for bridge tolling through the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative. The Pathways program seeks to identify potential alternative funding solutions for transportation in the state.  Under the initiative, tolls collected would be used for the bridges' construction, maintenance and operation. 

The virtual public meeting includes new information about PennDOT's planned tolling approach for the two candidate bridges on the eastern end of I-80: Nescopeck Creek and Lehigh River Bridges. Initially, each bridge was proposed for tolling in both directions, but based on public feedback and the proximity of the bridges, PennDOT will pursue one-way tolling at each of the bridges. This means traffic would be tolled westbound at Nescopeck and eastbound at Lehigh River. This reduces the number of tolls drivers would have to pay on I-80, as well as overall diversions and the need for additional tolling infrastructure. 

Additional information about potential tolling implementation, the project's design plans, environmental studies and mitigation, and schedule are available for review in the public meeting. PennDOT encourages everyone to review the materials and provide input on the information presented.

The I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges, which cross Nescopeck Creek in Luzerne County, were built in 1965 and do not meet current design standards. The purpose of the project is to replace the existing bridges to improve traffic flow, extend the life of existing infrastructure and enhance traffic safety.  

The project team will be accepting comments throughout the duration of the meeting, which ends at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2021. Online comments can be submitted directly from the meeting website or via the submission methods below. All comments will receive equal consideration regardless of the method of submission. 

• Mail: PennDOT District 4, Attn: I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges project, 55 Keystone Industrial Park, Dunmore, PA 18512 

  The public can also attend the in-person public meeting for the project. At this open house-format meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the project and speak with members of the project team. Individuals can stop by any time during the public open house at their convenience. Join us at the date, time and location below:  

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021  4 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Nescopeck Social Hall  510 Zenith Rd, Nescopeck, PA 18635 

If you would like to request translation services for the I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges project, please reach out via the project email at i80Nescopeck@pa.gov or hotline number (570) 218-3559. For more information about the I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges project, you can visit www.penndot.gov/i80Nescopeck. Si usted desea solicitar servicios de traducción para el Proyecto de Puentes I-80 Nescopeck Creek, por favor contacte al correo electrónico del proyecto i80Nescopeck@pa.gov o llame a la línea directa del proyecto (570) 218-3559. 

Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.gov/District4.

Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results.

Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Ruddy, (570) 963.4044

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