Construction on a city bridge could snarl traffic for up to two months on a highway that connects Scranton to the Abingtons and Midvalley.
Originally slated to begin Tuesday, replacement work on a McDade Expressway bridge that runs over North Main Avenue has been pushed back to April 15 because the state Department of Transportation is waiting for materials, spokesman Mike Taluto said Friday.
Expected to take until June, the project includes the replacement of expansion dams and deck repair work.
But it will require officials to reduce traffic to a single lane in each direction for a half-mile stretch on the McDade Expressway for the duration of the project.
"It will be single lane in that area 24/7," Mr. Taluto said. "It will be congested, and major delays are expected, especially at rush hour."
The North Main Avenue bridge project headlines a host of road surface or bridge projects in Lackawanna County.
I-81/Casey
Starting Tuesday on Interstate 81 north in Dunmore, contractors will begin work on a $5.2 million paving project meant to repair a nearly 2-mile stretch, from the Drinker Street overpass to Exit 190 (Main Avenue).
Originally scheduled to begin March 18, the road work has been delayed two weeks because rain and snow "aren't ideal conditions to paint lines and move lanes," PennDOT construction project manager Bill Eckenrode said.
Construction work includes repaving and crack sealing, and will require - for at least six weeks - closing the ramp connecting the Casey Highway west to I-81 north, as well as the ramp linking the Casey Highway to Route 347 (Dunmore/Throop) and the ramp from Interstate 84 west to Route 347.
"Hopefully, we can make up that time," said Mr. Eckenrode, though he added how quickly and efficiently workers can move forward will depend on the weather.
As for the effect the construction work will have on summer travelers, Mr. Eckenrode said officials coordinate a design process before each project, which tells workers how many lanes need to be maintained at all times.
"We normally try to make adjustments for the holidays, too, like Memorial Day or July 4, so it's not as congested," Mr. Eckenrode said.
Cedar Avenue
Starting in mid-April, PennDOT will close the Cedar Avenue entrance ramp to the Central Scranton Expressway for the second time. Officials first closed the ramp March 11 so contractors could continue repair work on the Moosic Street Bridge.
But they reopened it less than seven hours later after realizing signs warning drivers coming from downtown that the road was closed were inadequate.
"We are expecting the ramp to be closed until at least July," Mr. Taluto said.
PennDOT officials say they plan to finish the 2013 construction schedule Monday.
Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter