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$10 million Keyser Avenue project kicks off

Officials from gas, cable and electrical companies swarmed a section of Keyser Avenue and reduced traffic to a single lane on Tuesday as work began on a $10.4 million project meant to improve road conditions and expedite traffic.

Contractors from Kriger Construction Inc. - the Dickson City-based company hired by the state Department of Transportation - joined crews from Verizon Wireless and UGI in relocating utility poles and lines on the road in front of Keyser Terrace, 662 S. Keyser Ave.

The relocation work done Tuesday kicks off a year's worth of utility relocations between Ferdinand Street in Scranton and Oak Street in Taylor, which will often cause officials to reduce traffic to a single lane, PennDOT spokesman James May said.

But it's a necessary step so PennDOT can move forward with its estimated three-year project to resurface the road, widen shoulders and add traffic signals and left-turn lanes along a 3.8-mile stretch.

"In order to replace the existing box culvert at Lucky Run, we need to relocate the existing gas and water utilities under the structure," said Kriger foreman Mark Taney, while scanning a blueprint. "We want to do this in a way that inconveniences people the least."

Though most agree the work is long overdue, area business owners and managers have mixed feelings about the effect it will have.

Susan Krzyna, the manager at Ferri's Pizza, 501 N. Keyser Ave., said the project will "destroy businesses" because it will create more congestion and limit parking availability.

"People won't be able to get in and out, so they just won't come," she said.

Elaine Vass, the owner of Elaine's Restaurant, 1000 S. Keyser Ave., said she saw just the opposite Tuesday.

"We had our locals here, but we also had a bunch of the workers come in and eat," Ms. Vass said. "It was a nice boost to our business."

Standing in his driveway, watching cars cruise past his home at 493 S. Keyser Ave., Robert Maslanka said he can't wait for the traffic lights to be installed at Oak Street and Continental Street/Ransom Road - something PennDOT officials say won't happen until next year.

He said the lights, combined with the addition of left-turn lanes, will improve safety and limit congestion.

"It's always a coin flip about whether I will be able to get out of my driveway," the 77-year-old said. "This, I hope, will help."

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter


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