SCRANTON, Pa. — Changing one-ways back to two-way travel on streets like Biden and Linden are just one of the many proposed plans the City of Scranton has for a new streetscape project.
"The traffic patterns have changed over the years," said City Engineer Tom Reilly. 'There's been a big growth of downtown living."
Reilly led a presentation at Lackawanna College showing residents some of the potential changes.
Five projects in the downtown area involve converting more than a dozen traffic lights to all-way stop signs and updating and maintaining crosswalks.
"About 90% of the presentation with the streetscape projects I agree with," said Scranton native John Pocius. "The lighting the enhance sidewalks, the cleanup at the downtown."
Residents like Pocius are happy with most of the changes but say there are still big things to consider.
"I'm a little concerned with the elimination of traffic signals at various intersections and creating then the four-way stop signs the question of pedestrian safety comes up also vehicle or safety because there's more of a decision," said Pocius.
Bobby Alipour thinks some parts of the plan take away parking spots downtown that can already be tough to find.
"Already downtown is pressed for parking spots so if we are reducing them even further for bike lanes, which I don't think should be a huge priority right now it's going to really hurt the businesses in downtown." said Alipour.
But business owners along Biden Street say they are looking forward to the changes.
Northern Light Espresso Bar and Cafe owner Jennifer Saunders says getting to her business safely is a daily battle.
"A lot of our incoming customers try and say it's hard to even pull over and park because someone's right up against them or beeping at them," said Saunders.
Many of the projects slated for downtown Scranton are set to begin this fall.
Construction is expected to run into 2026.
"It has tremendous potential to be an even better downtown with these investments," said Reilly.
The city is also planning a streetscape project along north main avenue in West Scranton.
Officials say they are looking for additional funding to start a different project on Lackawanna Avenue as well.