WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on Tuesday announced that 67 projects are anticipated to start during the 2026 construction season, and 81 projects will continue in 2026 in the six-county, Dunmore-based region.
The Interstate 81/84 project, Interstate 81 at Exit 219 (Gibson), and the resurfacing of Routes 6 and 29, demonstrate PennDOT’s ongoing commitment to providing safe, well-maintained roads for the public.
“Our district is bidding and constructing the largest dollar-value program in District 4’s history this year,” said PennDOT Engineering District 4 Executive Jonathan A. Eboli. “The safety of all crews and the traveling public is our top priority as we make improvements to our networks across the six counties in the northeast.”
PennDOT anticipates investing more than $655 million in the region, which encompasses Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Under Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Administration, 19,451 miles of roadway have been improved statewide, and work has advanced on 1,738 state and local bridges.
Because of the 2025-26 state budget signed by Gov. Shapiro, PennDOT is also investing $37.5 million this state fiscal year to pave and preserve less-traveled, often rural roadways in 20 counties. This roadwork is made possible through Motor License Fund investments redirected from the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) while ensuring PSP’s critical mission continues.
Overall District 4 2026 construction highlights:
• 80 miles of roadway improvements
• 200 bridges to be addressed
• 440 lane-miles of seal coat
• 1,300 miles of crack sealing
• 1,300 miles of shoulder cutting
Notable Luzerne County projects expected to begin this year:
• Bridge replacement on Interstate 81 over Foothills Drive in Butler Township — $9.6 million
• Bridge preservation on Route 315 over the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad in Jenkins Township — $3 million
• Bridge preservation project on Main Street (Route 1013) over Toby’s Creek in Luzerne Borough — $1.1 million
• Culvert preservation project along Route 309 over Township Road in Hanover Township — $500,000
• Bridge preservation on Route 239 over Big Wapwallopen Creek in Conyngham Township $1.2 million
• CenterPoint Southern Commerce & Trade Park improvements in Jenkins Township — $2.1 million
• Interstate 80 over Interstate 81 eastbound and westbound bridge replacement in Butler Township — $18.5 million
• Pavement marking legend installation on various routes and municipalities
• Pavement marking installation on various interstates, in various municipalities
Notable Luzerne County projects continuing this year:
• Interchange and bridge reconstruction on Route 115 over Interstate 81 in Plains Township — $61 million
• Bridge replacements on Interstate 81 in Dorrance Township — $26.5 million
• Railroad bridge preservation on South Street (Route 2007), City of Wilkes-Barre — $6.7 million
• Base repair on Main Road (Route 4016), Cragle Hill/Reyburn Road (Route 4005), Bonnieville Road (Route 4018), Swamp Road (Route 4003), Marsh Creed Road (Route 4017), Twin Brick Road (Route 4019) in Union Township — $3.5 million
• Bridge rehabilitation on Route 11 over Hunlock Creek in Hunlock Township — $3.1 million
