Commuters in Northeast Pennsylvania are in for a week of travel disruptions as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) begins extensive construction on Interstate 81. Drivers are urged to consider alternative routes due to ongoing works in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
PennDOT District 4’s spokesperson, Jessica Ruddy, advised, “I would steer clear of 81 if possible, find an alternate route to get to your destination, and also make sure that you leave enough time to get to your destination.”
The construction projects stretch from the Interstate 81/84 junction in Lackawanna County down to the Hazleton area in Luzerne County, as demonstrated by the accompanying map and chart. These works are part of a long-term project aimed at improving road surfaces, bridges, and ramps around the 81/84 junction, a $126 million initiative set to continue until 2031. Read more about the project here.
In addition to this major project, routine maintenance like pothole patching, crack sealing, and utility work is also scheduled. “It is construction season here in Northeast Pennsylvania, and there is a lot of work being done,” explained Ruddy. “Now that the hot asphalt companies are open, there is a lot of crack sealing and pothole patching, so we are getting to all of those potholes out there on the roadways.”
Travelers who must use Interstate 81 in the coming days are encouraged to visit 511pa.com for the latest updates on road conditions and construction.
LANE RESTRICTIONS ON I-81 APRIL 26-MAY 1, 2026
Expect significant traffic delays due to lane restrictions on both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties during the following times:
● Lackawanna County — Starting Sunday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m., the Biden Expressway will be reduced to one lane as part of the Interstate 81/84 pavement and restoration project, continuing through the winter of 2026.
● Lackawanna County — Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 1, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Interstate 81 north will be down to two lanes from the Biden Expressway to the Interstate 84 eastbound/Interstate 81 northbound junction as part of the ongoing project.
● Lackawanna County — Tuesday, April 28 through Thursday, April 30, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Interstate 81 south from the Interstate 84/Interstate 81 junction to the Biden Expressway will undergo inlet repairs.
● Lackawanna County — Monday, April 27 through Tuesday, April 28, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., rolling shoulder closures on Interstate 81 south from the Interstate 84/Interstate 81 junction to the Biden Expressway will occur for signage placement.
● Lackawanna County — Thursday, April 30 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Interstate 81 northbound from Moosic to the Biden Expressway will experience pothole patching.
● Luzerne County — Monday, April 27 through Thursday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., utility work will take place between the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Beltway and the Hazleton/Route 924 exit.
● Luzerne County — Tuesday, April 28 through Thursday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Interstate 81 north from the Route 309/Wilkes-Barre exit to the Moosic exit will undergo pothole patching and crack sealing.
● Luzerne County — Monday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Interstate 81 southbound from the Highland Park Boulevard/Wilkes Barre exit to the Blackman Street exit will see pothole patching and crack sealing.
● Luzerne County — Tuesday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Interstate 81 north from the Mountain Top exit to the Avoca exit will have pothole patching and crack sealing.
