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UPDATE: Hole Repaired on Bridge, Both Lanes of I-81 North Back Open

UPDATE: Crews finished the emergency bridge work on Interstate 81 north overnight in Luzerne County. Officials say the hole in the bridge has been repaired and ...
luz-81-hole

UPDATE: Crews finished the emergency bridge work on Interstate 81 north overnight in Luzerne County.

Officials say the hole in the bridge has been repaired and both lanes are back open.

Interstate 81 north was down to one lane between the Dorrance and Nuangola exits for much of the day on Thursday.

DORRANCE TOWNSHIP -- There is a single lane closure on Interstate 81 north in Luzerne County after a hole opened up on a bridge.

One lane of the highway is closed between the Dorrance Exit (155) and the Nuangola Exit (159).

According to PennDOT, crews will not be able to start work on the bridge until the snow is cleaned up.

Drivers along Interstate 81 are used to some potholes here and there. But for many, the roadway all of a sudden felt uneven, especially for truckers.

"You're bouncing up and down in the trailer!" said Brian Martinez.

The rapid change in temperature from warm to cold can cause potholes. PennDOT believes that may have been the case on Interstate 81 north near Nuangola, where a hole was found in a bridge.

Crews closed one lane of the highway.

"Not a nice place to drive if you don't see the bumps coming up!" said Neal Mustard of Ottawa, Canada.

Delays between the Dorrance and Nuangola exits on I-81 north are expected until the hole gets fixed. Crews are hoping that happens around midnight.

It's a frustration to some drivers, but others point out more bumps in the road this time of year is typical.

"We're used to it! We have it every winter," said Betty McKavage

"That's why I prefer to be in Florida every winter!" Mustard added.

PennDOT crews expect Interstate 81 north between exits 155 and 159 to remain a single lane until midnight. That's when they hope to finish their work.

Get the latest travel information on the WNEP Traffic Tracker page.

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