Resident warns million-square-foot project could worsen traffic and strain sewers; councilor says he will write to PennDOT

A resident told the Wilkes-Barre City Council on March 27 that proposed large developments in neighboring Wilkes-Barre Township and Ashley — including a project the resident described as a “million square foot” building — could worsen traffic on Route 309 and local roads and place additional strain on the city's aging sewer system.

Public commenter Bob Kalaboski said Route 309 and surrounding intersections have experienced numerous crashes and said emergency-service response could be impeded by higher traffic volumes from a large new development. He urged the city to request that PennDOT evaluate traffic impacts and noted prior flood history in nearby Goose Island.

Kalaboski also raised sewer-capacity concerns and asked whether Wilkes-Barre authorities could assess how much additional development the existing sewer system could support. He said he had asked the township for a traffic study and requested similar steps from the city.

Councilman Belishko responded directly to Kalaboski and said he would write to PennDOT about traffic impacts. Tim Henry, the city attorney, and other council members discussed how traffic and impact studies are typically required by the permitting jurisdiction and that requirements can depend on township rules and PennDOT standards.

No municipal vote or formal study directive was adopted at the March 27 meeting; council members encouraged further inquiry and intergovernmental coordination to determine whether additional traffic or sewer-capacity studies are required.