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Store Owners Fear Bridge Replacement Project Will Hurt Business

LENOX TOWNSHIP — A bridge replacement project in Susquehanna County is raising a lot of concern from store owners nearby. Business is bustling at the ever...
SUSQ BRUDGE

LENOX TOWNSHIP -- A bridge replacement project in Susquehanna County is raising a lot of concern from store owners nearby.

Business is bustling at the ever-popular Bingham's restaurant just off Interstate 81, but with the Route 106 bridge in Lenox Township set to shut down next month, owner Dave Scarpetta worries it will keep diners away.

“Of course that's a key artery for people to get to the restaurant,” said Scarpetta.

PennDOT is scheduled to replace the bridge which runs over Tunkhannock Creek. Work is expected to start mid-June and last through early October.

“You're talking about the peak season for us, you know, June through October. That's actually our four busiest months and represent quite a percentage of the business we do for the year,” said Scarpetta.

According to the engineering firm hired by PennDOT, the bridge is structurally deficient. Still, the owner of Lenox Pharmacy isn't happy.

"Anybody coming northbound can't come across that bridge, so any of my patients who see doctors in Scranton, Clarks Summit, and so on are going to have a real problem getting to the store,” said pharmacist Scott Muller.

A 14-mile detour will be in place during construction. Drivers will be diverted onto Route 92, then Route 374, which links up to Interstate 81.

Chad Betzel is the assistant fire chief with the Harford Fire Company and says the department is working with the other fire company in the area, making plans to deal with the closure.

“Public safety service will be handled, we'll be working closely with Clifford,” said Betzel.

Still, Betzel plans to make suggestions to the engineering firm at the next public meeting on the project.

“Just put in some kind of bypass right by the old bridge. I mean, they do that all the time. They did it right here in town several years ago when they replaced the bridge right here,” said Betzel.

The next public meeting on the project was set for May 24, but a Lenox Township official says that date will be rescheduled.

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