Residents and commuters in South Wilkes-Barre will have to wait a bit longer for the reopening of Horton Street. Originally scheduled for today, the reopening has been delayed to Wednesday, Nov. 26, according to Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown.
Horton Street, an essential route in the area, has been inaccessible for nearly five months due to significant sinkhole issues. The delay was caused by mechanical problems with the contractor’s equipment, as stated by Mayor Brown.
Understanding the Sinkhole Situation
Horton Street experienced its first major disruption on June 25 when a 20-foot-deep sinkhole appeared just as a $600,000 emergency repair project on the sewer/stormwater line was about to commence.
On July 14, a second sinkhole surfaced about 200 feet away, leading to a water main break and a gas leak. This incident also followed a period of heavy rain, though officials have confirmed that mine subsidence was not a factor in either sinkhole occurrence. For more details, visit this link.
Addressing these issues required collaboration between multiple parties, including utility companies, construction firms, and the state Department of Transportation, as detailed here.
Upcoming Plans
The necessary equipment is currently on-site to finalize the project, paving the way for a mid-week reopening.
In preparation, street cleaning will occur on Monday, Nov. 24, with “No Parking” restrictions in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following streets:
● Horton Street from Carlisle Street to Carey Avenue
● Roosevelt Terrace from Horton Street to Hanover Street
● Huston Street from Horton Street to Sturdevant Street.
