Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in roads
Broadway Bridge (Nanticoke) replacement timeline
The Broadway Bridge replacement won't be done until about 2032, and local businesses like Stucky's Barbecue are suffering from the closure. Council Member Smith pressed for expedited state and federal reviews; the county administration is already meeting with Federal Highway and PennDOT to speed things up.
County bridge and road priority list
Council wants engineer Tom Raleigh's updated ranking of the county's roughly 300 bridges and its roads, and suggested dedicated briefings on each. Questions were also raised about a shut bridge with no alternative route and about putting idle Act 13 bridge money to work.
Sutton Creek Road Bridge grant application
The county is reapplying for a $1.5 million state Multimodal Transportation Fund grant to fix a deteriorating county-owned bridge, up from about $1 million last time due to worsening conditions. Some council members want to see a full priority list of the county's ~300 bridges before voting, and questioned why the Act 13 bridge fund's $2.5 million has sat unused for two years.
Lower Demunds Road Phase II grant
Council asked the state for a Local Share Account grant through Dallas Township to fund the next phase of Lower Demunds Road improvements.
Huntsville Extension Grant Request
Council unanimously applied for a state Local Share Account grant from gaming revenue for the Huntsville Extension project.
Huntsville Road Extension Grant Request
The county will seek a $300,000 state Local Share Account grant to finish the rough Huntsville Road extension, after getting only $222,000 last year.