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Work on Lake Scranton Dam Keeps Part of Walking Trail Closed

ROARING BROOK TOWNSHIP — A project to improve the dam at Lake Scranton will keep part of the walking trail around the lake closed until next year.

ROARING BROOK TOWNSHIP -- A project to improve the dam at Lake Scranton will keep part of the walking trail around the lake closed until next year.

Pennsylvania American Water crews are making upgrades to the dam and spillways at Lake Scranton to comply with state safety regulations.

Runners and walkers waited months earlier this year for the trail at Lake Scranton to reopen after tornado damage in February.

Pennsylvania American Water maintains this land and the lake. Officials say the entire trail won't be able to reopen for another year.

Where Scranton gets its drinking water is also where many of its residents get their exercise.

"I got my Fitbit on, and 10,000 steps is hard to get to, I must say! It kills me. Yeah, I'm trying," said Kathy Fisk.

Walkers at Lake Scranton can now get a look at crews making more than $10 million in improvements to the lake's dams. Pennsylvania American Water officials say the upgrades are needed to meet state regulations.

Part of the running and walking trail at Lake Scranton will be off limits until the project's completed. That likely won't be until the end of 2018.

"I did go the other way and saw the gate closed, so, I said I'm going to try going this way and I'm glad you told me that. but, I have time to see what they're doing. so that will be great," Fisk said.

All of Lake Scranton's trail was off limits for much of this year. A tornado back in February took down a lot of trees and caused damage to the water company's property.

About two and a half miles of trail is open to the public. People who use it say they don't mind it's actually been easier to get their steps in.

"I like it because it's a little longer," said Louis Maczuga. "We didn't lose a beat, I don't think. The only thing is, I think for some people they like to just start and come all the way around. We don't mind going back and forth."

"It's more like the distance, I do it for health purposes, like, it doesn't make a difference," added Bill Schlittler.

Pennsylvania American Water officials don't have an exact completion date for the renovation project but they tell us it will likely last throughout most of next year.

Workers expect to finish the work by the end of 2018.

 

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