SCRANTON, Pa. — After months of detours, one of the busiest streets in Scranton is back open.
"So we've had to rehabilitate the culvert, redo the street. We still have a tremendous amount of work to do right here, but we are very excited to be able to open up Market Street right before the holiday," said Mayor Paige Cognetti, Scranton.
Since early September, city and state agencies have been working to repair a large section of West Market Street that closed due to flash flooding.
In the hardest hit area, several homes were destroyed, and businesses like Kelleher Tire were left stranded.
"A lot of our customers had to call and get directions to our place. They weren't too familiar with other ways to get into the place. We have a used car lot, not a big lot, but when no one drives by for two months definitely makes a difference," said Tom Kelleher, Kelleher Tire.
Tom Kelleher, along with his brothers, have been operating on West Market Street for decades.
With the street reopened, it'll be back to business as usual.
"I'm happy to see the people are friends and customers going by again. It's been a little eerie not seeing anything going by for a couple of months," said Kelleher.
"Putting the barricades up on a Saturday on a Sunday after the night time they just come down and they smash them," said Carl Smith, resident.
For months Carl Smith has watched from his front porch as the construction crews rebuilt the culvert.
He would also give directions to lost drivers, something he doesn't mind giving up.
"It's just something else, something else when the road closes, you'll never know. I'm glad it's open before the snow; that was a main thing," said Smith.
Construction crews will remain in the area putting in more rock and adding a guard rail along West Market Street when the parts are delivered.