Demolition of the arches on the Lackawanna Ave. bridge in Scranton (rental, camp)

[scrantonluna]

Forty-mile Lackawanna Valley trail stuck with a gap of 800 feet | News | thetimes-tribune.com - The Times-Tribune (http://thetimes-tribune.com/articles/2008/09/05/news/sc_times_trib.20080905.a.pg3.tt05trail_s1.1923887_ top8.txt - broken link)

[Mr Yuk]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

As much as I liked the arches, I do not see how they could be recreated or mimicked without great expense.

There is also a period-friendly restoration slated for the Harrison Ave. bridge. Let's hope they take down the chain link screening.

What I don't understand is why they are saying that the bridge project will cost MORE now that they are not including the arches. I would think that not having to restore those old arches would bring down the cost of the project.

That fence for the Harrison Ave bridge is a necessity to prevent suicides. It may not be pretty, maybe they can come up with something better looking, but its better than cleaning up carcasses below the bridge.

[scrantonluna]

If they're going to jump, they're going to jump.

As far as the costs, you would have to figure that the demolition and removal of all that old concrete has to be more expensive than a paint job and a skim coat.

[scrantonluna]

ScranBarre and others may wish to check out this link: Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority

[weluvpa]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

I'm pretty sure they are planning some sort of kayak tie-in with the project, but start up is going to be slow.

Pretty sure? I haven't heard anything about that at all. Not from the LHVA or the LRCA.

I hope that the idiots around here don't take it upon themselves to attempt to have a local firm design it, like they did the bridge to nowhere and the treehouse both of which needed additional work to stabilize them. The bridge actually had to be redesigned by PennDot bridges and tunnels didn't it?

There is no start up. They actually have the machines here in the city and the crews that are needed to do it. Boulders and large rocks are not hard to find....Wegman's parking lot, near the old walmart would be a great place to start.

It figures that a crony like Donahue would throw a wrench in the plans. He'll never get that project of his off the ground. What happened to Jefferson Point Jerry?

I like this quote myself.....Straight out of the Doherty play book.

“We are going to do it, but we are going to do it in a fashion that makes it a destination point,” he said.

Let them finish the trail first since they are ACTUALLY going to get it done long before you get that white elephant of yours started.

We look forward to the trail on the levee here (when it gets done) and the access to the river for cycling, fishing and paddling.

As far as I'm concerned Natalie Solfanelli has been able to get more done for the river because she has the support and contacts to get it done. I have known Mrs. Solfanelli since I was in HS and have been friends with her boys for years, she'll get this done no problem.

The LRCA on the other hand struggles under the IMHO inept leadership of Mr. McCurl and has for years. The riverfest's and the overall management of the river has fallen off over the last several years and Bernie doesn't have the support that he used to.

Moving the riverfest out of a neighborhood setting and shoving it in that stupid place by the ice box was a huge mistake. Hell it was better when it was at the SS complex and then moved to my neighborhood where everyone came out in force to help make it a great day for us all.

The last few riverfest's have been disappointing to me. Weak and no one stays to enjoy the festivities after the race anymore, they clear out and only the drunk kids are left. The bands that have played recently do not draw a crowd either, thats what happens when you hire kids from The Bog, Bernie.

We used to have it packed right up to dark when it was down here with bands like Old Friends and The Village Idiots playing and the food was better with a variety instead of the pizza only menu last year.

Its a shame and hopefully the LRCA will turn it around before the numbers really drop off to the point were it will be just a race and nothing afterwards because thats where it is headed.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by NEPA-x-pat

You are so right Brother Dan!
You are so right about it being unappreciated. Dan you are right on target!

Wow! I'm sure weluvpa is pleased to hear these words for a change! LOL!

[blip]

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

Forty-mile Lackawanna Valley trail stuck with a gap of 800 feet | News | thetimes-tribune.com - The Times-Tribune (http://thetimes-tribune.com/articles/2008/09/05/news/sc_times_trib.20080905.a.pg3.tt05trail_s1.1923887_ top8.txt - broken link)

Wow, had no idea the trail was going to be so long. That's really cool. Any updates on that last 800 feet? This article was a while ago.

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

ScranBarre and others may wish to check out this link: Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority

I was just checking out that site and the pages on the trail segments' progress: Environment - The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail (http://www.lhva.org/environment/environment3.html - broken link)

Says it could connect to the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Area for a 100-mile continuous stretch.

I need to get a bike, and maybe a kayak.

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

If they're going to jump, they're going to jump.

I remember hearing this debated about the Golden Gate bridge adding fencing. The Psych experts agreed that it would decrease suicides. Even if the tendency is there, the act tends to be impulsive. Make it harder to do and you get fewer suicides, not just a shift to other means.

Not that I'm for it.. I'm, uh, on the fence.

[weluvpa]

NEPA X PAT and I understand the river and what it can provide for a city and it is just ignored. I paddle the Lackawanna river from Archbald at least once a week unless the water is up and then its everyday while I can get out there. When the lackawanna river is too low to paddle then we move right on up to the Susquehanna. Solid fishing and paddling right thru the city and we dump $330,000 into a dog park.

Paul anytime you want to see the valley from the very bottom looking up and out let me know. I have multiple kayaks and would definitely take you out on the river..Its not hard and I'll make sure the water levels are low and safe.

[scrantonluna]

From the LHVA site:

The Scranton Riverfront Greenway project, a current phase of LHVA’s Lackawanna River Heritage Trail project, will lead to the development of a multi-purpose riverwalk along the river adjacent to Scranton’s downtown business district. Future Greenway development efforts also include riverfront amenities, commercial establishments, parking, recreational facilities, outdoor gathering spaces, and ramps with direct access to the water for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. With convenient public access from a variety of locations, the Greenway will physically connect Scranton High School, downtown Scranton, Steamtown National Historic Site, the Electric City Trolley Station & Museum, the Pennsylvania State Office Building, the Steamtown Mall, and the proposed Intermodal Transportation Center

[weluvpa]

Its just ramps or paths to the water......I thought they were actually going to put something kayak specific in there.