Traffic Jams Galore! (Philadelphia, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: construction, school, calculated)

[ScranBarre]

I must most certainly tip my hat to PennDOT today for being so intelligent as to schedule so many large-scale projects concurrently as to make driving a living nightmare today through the metroplex for commuters. Traffic was flowing at a snail's pace along Route 309 Southbound (Cross-Valley Expressway) over the Susquehanna River and through Wilkes-Barre. Traffic was backed up along I-81 Northbound through Pittston Township, as was Highway 315, the artery everyone was taking to try to avoid the mess on I-81. I-81 Southbound was also backed-up in the opposing direction from Moosic all the way up to Scranton. I'd truly like to thank PennDOT for deciding that they HAD to do all of these projects at the same exact time during rush-hour. You guys are awesome! It was thanks to this back-up that there was ANOTHER school bus crash today at The 315 @ Westminster Road in Jenkins Township, as an SUV pulled right out into the path of the bus, injuring two children in the process. Where were the Metro Pittston police today? They most certainly ought to be ASHAMED of themselves for not directing traffic.

This goes to YOU, Pittston Township Chief Rinaldi, and the rest of your department as well. I don't want to hear any "belly-aching" about under-staffing either as I CONSTANTLY see our department hanging out exclusively in and around Cork Lane and Browntown while ignoring those of us in the other faster-growing parts of the township. This also goes to the Laflin cops who are too busy setting up speed traps along Highway 315 INSTEAD of directing traffic. Perhaps this school bus accident could have been avoided? Also, Pennsylvania State Police, where were YOU today as well? I was involved in a NASTY road-rage incident because people were flying up the right-hand shoulder of I-81 Northbound to get off at the Pittston Township exit, and, thinking this was "unfair," I put on my right-hand blinker and cut off some of these illegally-driving motorists, as did others in front of me, creating a MESS! Traffic OFTEN backs up all the way from the bottom of the Pittston Township offramp right onto I-81 Northbound---I'm waiting for the day when a tractor-trailer driver is text messaging or something, doesn't notice the suddenly stopped traffic, and causes a chain-reaction pile-up. It almost happened to me last year when a truck came barreling down the shoulder of the offramp because he was going too fast, and I was rear-ended here in 2006 (as have some of my neighbors and friends).

PennDOT, instead of WASTING TIME AND MONEY, why not PROPERLY reconfigure the Exit 175 Interchange to make it less accident-prone?

[Chefkey]

I like it when you try to avoid 81 south or north by getting on the turnpike only to find out they have 10 miles of cones placed with a 40 mile limit and no one working.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

I like it when you try to avoid 81 south or north by getting on the turnpike only to find out they have 10 miles of cones placed with a 40 mile limit and no one working.

I just don't understand it. Yes, these repairs ARE necessary to maintain our infrastructure, but what good does it do when the detours around the detours of your detours are ALL under construction as well?! LOL!

[Jungle George]

From New Hope to Wilkes-Barre we're taking 476 (which I think is called the Pa. Tpke) & then on the way from Wilkes-Barre to NY, I saw that 81 connects to 17 by Binghampton. Since I haven't driven 17 in many years (& it's such a gorgeous ride in nice weather) I was thinking of driving that "scenic" route instead of 84 across if the weather cooperates.

Are 476 & 81 nightmares to drive on??

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Jungle George

From New Hope to Wilkes-Barre we're taking 476 (which I think is called the Pa. Tpke) & then on the way from Wilkes-Barre to NY, I saw that 81 connects to 17 by Binghampton. Since I haven't driven 17 in many years (& it's such a gorgeous ride in nice weather) I was thinking of driving that "scenic" route instead of 84 across if the weather cooperates.

Are 476 & 81 nightmares to drive on??

Generally speaking neither one is all that bad, especially compared to what you're probably accustomed to in South Florida. However, I-81 can often become quite congested at peak hours between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, especially around the long-term construction projects near the Moosic and Clarks Summit exits. I-476 is down to one lane (or was as recently as a few weeks ago when I was on it en route to Philadelphia) between the Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley (Pittston) interchanges, but generally speaking the traffic flow is smooth sailing between the Lehigh Valley and our area.

[Chefkey]

476 is usually fine except for possible cones as I mentioned, I didn't see any the last time I was on but they usually occur near Wilkes Barre and farther north and extend for many miles. You have to obey a 40 mile speed limit for maybe ten miles but the rest of 476 south of there is a breeze.

I will say having lived just south of the New Hope area this would be your greatest concern for traffic. The roads you will have to travel on from New Hope to 476 will be very congested with lots of lights. Give extra time when going this way. I have tried all the roads from new hope in this direction and they all pan out lousy, sorry. Your best bet is probably head for the Lansdale entrance to 476 down 202 from new hope and then Sumneytown Pike until you reach the entrance for 476. Beware of the cow farm in all its holy stench about 4 miles from 476 but in the cold it probably isn't too bad.

[Jungle George]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

Generally speaking neither one is all that bad, especially compared to what you're probably accustomed to in South Florida. However, I-81 can often become quite congested at peak hours between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, especially around the long-term construction projects near the Moosic and Clarks Summit exits. I-476 is down to one lane (or was as recently as a few weeks ago when I was on it en route to Philadelphia) between the Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley (Pittston) interchanges, but generally speaking the traffic flow is smooth sailing between the Lehigh Valley and our area.

Thanks Paul! We just calculated mileage & 81 to 17 is roughly 60 more miles than straight on 84, but I'm dying to see the mountains from Binghamton through Monticello (AND maybe stop in at the Roscoe Diner again).!!

476 is a toll road, is it not?? (gotta make sure we got cash since our good looks won't get us crap!!!

[Jungle George]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

476 is usually fine except for possible cones as I mentioned, I didn't see any the last time I was on but they usually occur near Wilkes Barre and farther north and extend for many miles. You have to obey a 40 mile speed limit for maybe ten miles but the rest of 476 south of there is a breeze.

I will say having lived just south of the New Hope area this would be your greatest concern for traffic. The roads you will have to travel on from New Hope to 476 will be very congested with lots of lights. Give extra time when going this way. I have tried all the roads from new hope in this direction and they all pan out lousy, sorry. Your best bet is probably head for the Lansdale entrance to 476 down 202 from new hope and then Sumneytown Pike until you reach the entrance for 476. Beware of the cow farm in all its holy stench about 4 miles from 476 but in the cold it probably isn't too bad.

I just printed this for reference...THANKS Chefkey!! (call me kaweer, but I love the smell of cow flop!!! my aunt & uncle had a farm outside of Wilkes-Barre & they claimed that if you were bald, you'ld stick a steaming pile on your head & the hair would grow... my uncle was bald, so I shoulda known it was a lie!!!)

[Chefkey]

Originally Posted by Jungle George

I just printed this for reference...THANKS Chefkey!! (call me kaweer, but I love the smell of cow flop!!! my aunt & uncle had a farm outside of Wilkes-Barre & they claimed that if you were bald, you'ld stick a steaming pile on your head & the hair would grow... my uncle was bald, so I shoulda known it was a lie!!!)

Glad to help One last note, pay close attention on 202 when you approach 611 it is very confusing which ramp you need. Just follow the signs closely and if you feel you missed it you probably did so turn around (I did this twice). 202 splits at this point, it is not a straight drive through, at 611 you have to ramp around to get on the other part.

[Jungle George]

Originally Posted by Chefkey

Glad to help One last note, pay close attention on 202 when you approach 611 it is very confusing which ramp you need. Just follow the signs closely and if you feel you missed it you probably did so turn around (I did this twice). 202 splits at this point, it is not a straight drive through, at 611 you have to ramp around to get on the other part.

Thanks again!! It can't be any worse than down here (famous last words...)...if you turn right it's one road, if you turn left it's another road, & all the roads have 3 different names!!!
We have Rt 76, which is also called "Kanner Hwy", which is the same as Colorado Ave, or our Hwy A1A, which is also called "Dixie Hwy", which (only in some sections) is called Alt A1A, which is also called (only in some sections) Broadway!!!

Talk about confusing!!! I'm SURE we'll miss the ramp!!