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Traffic Pattern Changes in Lackawanna County Cause Headaches

A PennDOT project in Lackawanna County is forcing some drivers to change the way they get to work or the mall. Wayne Pisanchyn takes his plumbing truck on Route...

A PennDOT project in Lackawanna County is forcing some drivers to change the way they get to work or the mall.

Wayne Pisanchyn takes his plumbing truck on Route 11 in the Clarks Summit area, through the so-called "notch", and onto Business Route 6 to Dickson City almost every day. Now, new traffic patterns are forcing him to break the habit.

"I've been through the notch three times today, and each time I had to go all the way to Keyser Avenue, circle around and get right back on to get on the Scranton Carbondale Highway," Pisanchyn said.

While PennDOT makes progress on renovations to the entire interchange, where the North Scranton Expressway converges with Business Route 6 and Route 11, some of the ramps are closed temporarily.

Right now, if you're coming from Clarks Summit, you can't get directly to Dickson City.

There will be restricted access to Business Route 6 and Dickson City until at least August. PennDOT's plan is to make the whole interchange safer by adding some lanes and eliminating others.

"There are two intersections that we forbid our trucks from making, and that is one of them," Pisanchyn added.

PennDOT said the completed project will cut down on congestion there. But, drivers said it's causing congestion elsewhere while some ramps are closed. Including Keyser Avenue in Scranton.

"It's definitely been a lot more congested with the Clarks Summit people having to come through here now. I try to avoid it as much as possible because I don't need to get into an accident at this point," said Samantha Lyles of Scranton.

The Route 11 ramp will reopen late this summer, PennDOT hasn't said when the entire renovations will be finished.

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