Downtown Traffic Updates

At the 13 intersections identified on the map, new stop signs will be installed and existing traffic signals will flash red for a minimum of 30 days.

Following the initial 30-day period, traffic signals will be de-energized or covered for an additional 60 days while the City continues evaluating whether the intersections can operate safely with stop signs. Some traffic signals may be removed following the minimum 90-day evaluation.

Where to Stop

The following intersections are included in the traffic study:

• Biden Street: Franklin Avenue, Penn Avenue, and Wyoming Avenue
• Linden Street: Franklin Avenue, Penn Avenue, Wyoming Avenue, North Washington Avenue, and Adams Avenue
• Vine Street: Penn Avenue, North Washington Avenue, Adams Avenue, and Jefferson Avenue
• Olive Street: Jefferson Avenue

Drivers should follow all posted traffic signs and signals and use caution when traveling through these intersections.

In addition to the stop sign study, the City will implement changes to traffic lanes and street directions as part of the downtown streetscape improvements.

Lane Changes

Drivers should expect lane closures, traffic control signage, and new pavement markings as work progresses in the following areas:

• Biden Street, from Wyoming Avenue to Franklin Avenue
• Linden Street, from Penn Avenue to Jefferson Avenue
• North Washington Avenue, from Olive Street to Mulberry Street
• Adams Avenue, from Linden Street to Mulberry Street

One-Way to Two-Way Conversions

Following the initial minimum 30-day study period, the City plans to convert the following street segments from one-way to two-way traffic:

• Biden Street: Wyoming Avenue to Franklin Avenue
• Linden Street: Jefferson Avenue to Penn Avenue
• North Washington Avenue: Olive Street to Mulberry Street
• Adams Avenue: Linden Street to Mulberry Street

Additional lane reductions: Wyoming Avenue, from Lackawanna Avenue to Olive Street, will undergo a road diet to reduce the number of travel lanes and encourage safer speeds.

The City of Scranton’s ongoing downtown streetscape projects were proposed by Mayor Paige G. Cognetti and approved by City Council in October 2025. Construction has continued throughout the spring and summer of 2026.

These projects focus on improving pedestrian and driver safety, accessibility, and the overall downtown environment.

Improvements include:

• Improving sidewalks and installing accessible pedestrian ramps
• Filling hazardous underground sidewalk vaults
• Adding curb bump-outs to shorten pedestrian crossing distances and create dozens of additional on-street parking spaces
• Updating street lighting and creating more consistent lighting throughout downtown
• Installing underground conduit to support the removal of overhead utility wires
• Planting additional street trees
• Reducing traffic lanes in select areas to encourage safer vehicle speeds
• Repairing a deteriorating retaining wall along a major entrance to downtown Scranton

Explore Downtown Scranton Streetscape Projects

Scranton’s efforts to create a safer and more accessible downtown have been years in the making.

In June 2023, the City unveiled the findings of a comprehensive downtown walkability analysis. Building on an idea introduced by former Mayor Wayne Evans, urban planner Jeff Speck and consulting firm Nelson\Nygaard developed the Downtown Scranton Connectivity Plan, outlining potential improvements to the City’s central business district.

The City continued refining those recommendations through additional traffic studies and feedback from downtown stakeholders, including:

• Lackawanna County Commissioners
• County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS)
• Downtown business owners
• Private real estate developers
• Grow America and The Car Park
• Disability advocates
• Other community stakeholders

This process resulted in modifications to portions of the original plan to better serve residents, businesses, pedestrians, and drivers.

In support of these changes, the City submitted nearly 4,000 pages of traffic analysis and supporting documentation to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), representing the largest traffic study submitted in the history of PennDOT District 4.

Following the original 2023 study, the City and its engineering partners conducted a more detailed analysis of 35 downtown intersections.

The review examined traffic volumes, travel patterns, confidential crash analysis, and other safety factors. Its goal was to identify improvements that would increase safety for pedestrians and drivers without creating significant negative impacts on vehicle traffic.

The resulting recommendations informed the following PennDOT-approved traffic plans.

Traffic Signals Remaining in Place

Existing traffic signals will be maintained at or along the following locations:

• Mulberry Street, from Mifflin Avenue to Jefferson Avenue
• Linden Street and Jefferson Avenue
• Biden Street and Jefferson/Lackawanna Avenue
• Biden Street and North Washington Avenue
• Biden Street and Adams Avenue
• Vine Street and Wyoming Avenue
• Olive Street and Wyoming Avenue
• Linden Street and Mifflin Avenue
• Lackawanna Avenue, from Adams/Cedar Avenue to Mifflin Avenue

Intersections Undergoing the Stop Sign Study

Beginning October 19, 2026, the City will study the use of stop signs at 13 intersections for a minimum of 30 days:

• Franklin Avenue at Biden Street
• Biden Street and Penn Avenue
• Biden Street and Wyoming Avenue
• Franklin Avenue at Linden Street
• Linden Street and Penn Avenue
• Linden Street and Wyoming Avenue
• Linden Street and North Washington Avenue
• Linden Street and Adams Avenue
• North Washington Avenue and Vine Street
• Vine Street and Adams Avenue
• Penn Avenue at Vine Street
• Vine Street and Jefferson Avenue
• Olive Street at Jefferson Avenue

Lane Reductions

The approved plans include a road diet to reduce traffic lanes along Wyoming Avenue, from Lackawanna Avenue to Olive Street, with the goal of encouraging safer vehicle speeds.

Planned Two-Way Conversions

Following the minimum 30-day study period, the City plans to convert the following street segments from one-way to two-way traffic:

• Biden Street, from Wyoming Avenue to Franklin Avenue
• Linden Street, from Jefferson Avenue to Penn Avenue
• North Washington Avenue, from Olive Street to Mulberry Street
• Adams Avenue, from Linden Street to Mulberry Street