PennDOT bridging the gap in upcoming display event

PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two bridges connecting Pittston to West Pittston over the Susquehanna River are in dire need of repairs or replacement.

Now PennDOT is giving people a chance to check out the plans for the bridge replacement project .

The plans will be on display next Wednesday and will help PennDOT officials get to the next point step of the $50,000,000 construction on these two bridges connecting Pittston City and West Pittston Borough.

A crowded intersection and traffic backups coming off of the Specialist Dale Kridlo Memorial Bridge into West Pittston Borough is a common scene in the afternoon.

“It’s aggravating. About I’m going to say 5:36, coming from Main Street Pittston back over here, sometimes you are waiting, I’ve waited a good 25 minutes at times,” said West Pittston resident Jay Yanchik.

It’s been almost three years since the Firefighter’s Memorial Bridge closed leaving travelers to cross over the Kridlo Bridge to get from Pittston to West Pittston.

“I think people have found that new normal, but it’s still not right,” said PennDOT District 4 Executive Rich Roman.

PennDOT officials say the goal is to get environmental clearance which can happen after holding a public meeting on Wednesday, May 8.

“This is a major project in downtown Pittston. Having options is where we start and and then getting feedback on those options is really important,” Roman continued.

Structure, style, and location, all topics up for discussion during the important meeting and aspects of the big project that PennDOT officials say they want people in this community to have a say in.

“This is the part of the process where we need to hear from them. A concrete beam bridge. whether it has sidewalks on both sides. whether it has the width of the lanes, maybe the one bridge can shift up and downstream to help traffic on both sides or maybe they can go back in their same location. We’ll talk about how many piers we will have in the river,” Yanchik explained.

In the meantime with only one bridge in operation, Yanchik is reminding everyone safety still matters.

“You got the 18-wheelers coming over, you got the delivery trucks. People realize this is what it is. People that are driving nuts slow down,” Yanchik continued.

Roman says people will be able to view two-dimensional renderings of different displays at the meeting next Wednesday.

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