Scranton council introduces ordinances to alter downtown traffic patterns amid public safety concerns

Scranton City Council on Tuesday introduced ordinances to install all-way stops at selected downtown intersections and to convert portions of the downtown street network between one-way and two-way operation, measures presented as parts of a larger $15 million downtown streetscape effort.

Councilors also advanced related measures to create no-parking zones, apply for a grant to buy a modular vehicle barrier trailer, and voted to authorize two state grant applications to help fund the Lackawanna Avenue streetscape and the NAOG Waterway Phase 2 projects.

Council members and residents framed the debate around pedestrian safety, maintenance and the practical effects of changing long-standing traffic controls. Several residents said they feared new signals and sensor-driven crosswalk systems would fail or be insufficiently maintained. “Anything they do… they need to commit to long term maintenance. And if they're not going to do that, make no changes,” resident Joan Hodowanis told the council.

Why this matters: the measures, if ultimately adopted by ordinance, would change daily traffic flow for motorists, deliveries and emergency responders, and would pair physical changes — bump-outs, new sidewalks and streetscape lighting — with different traffic control approaches at many downtown intersections.

What the council acted on and the funding context - Ordinance 5b (introduction): installing all-way stops at specified downtown intersections. A motion to table 5b failed on a roll-call vote (King: No; Shuster: Yes; Rothschild: No; McAndrew: Yes; Smearl: No). The council then moved to introduce 5b into committee; a voice vote carried (“ayes have it”). - Ordinance 5c (introduction): converting certain downtown one-way streets to two-way and some two-way to one-way, as specified in the ordinance. A motion to table 5c also failed (recorded roll-call entries as read aloud during the meeting) and the item was introduced into committee by voice vote. - Ordinance 5d (introduction): establishing no-parking zones on portions of certain roadways; introduced into committee by voice vote. - Ordinance 5e (introduction): resolution to apply for a grant to purchase a modular vehicle barrier trailer system; introduced into committee by voice vote. - Resolution 7A (adopted): authorized the mayor and appropriate officials to apply for a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant of $632,329 for the Lackawanna Avenue streetscape project. Roll call: King — Yes; Shuster — Yes; Rothschild — Yes; McAndrew — Yes; Smearl — Yes. - Resolution 7B (adopted): authorized application for a $2,007,938 grant for the NAOG Waterway Phase 2 project. Roll call: King — Yes; Shuster — Yes; Rothschild — Yes; McAndrew — Yes; Smearl — Yes.

Council and public concerns Residents who spoke during the public-comment period pressed several recurring themes: that downtown residents (including people who are elderly or disabled) had not been adequately consulted; that new sensor- and Internet-linked pedestrian systems could fail in practice; and that long-term maintenance plans were unclear.

Les Spindler, a resident, asked, “How does that make it safer for anybody to cross the street?” and pressed the council to explain how painted crosswalks and new markings would reduce crashes.

Council member Shuster provided grant and cost details raised during the meeting, saying the overall streetscape effort has multiple funding streams and that the total project cost was presented as about $15,000,000 with $12,600,000 discussed in that session for particular elements. He said the city applied for multiple grants to cover phases of the Lackawanna Avenue project and that one engineering estimate for the NAOG pool complex was about $4,000,000.

Several speakers noted accessibility questions. Tom Coyne called attention to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and expressed concern that converting signals to stop signs could make crossings more complicated: “Now with the 4 traffic, we have 4 choices,” he said, arguing drivers who ignore one-way or stop signs could create hazards for pedestrians.

Administration responses and next steps Deputy Mayor Eileen Cipriani was identified in discussion as the mayor’s designated deputy for times when the mayor is absent. Council members said administration staff and consultants would return to provide additional technical details; the council scheduled follow-up presentations and indicated public input would continue next week.

Councilors also cited an ARPA-related deadline as one reason to proceed with introduction: several speakers noted federal and state funding windows can create time pressure for advancing projects into design and implementation.

Votes at a glance (items introduced or adopted Oct. 14) - 5b (Intro): Install all-way stops in specified downtown intersections — introduced into committee after a motion to table failed by roll call (recorded votes as read). Outcome: introduced (voice vote). - 5c (Intro): Convert specified one-way streets to two-way and certain two-way to one-way — introduced into committee after a motion to table failed by roll call (recorded votes as read). Outcome: introduced (voice vote). - 5d (Intro): Establish no-parking zones on portions of certain roadways — introduced into committee (voice vote). - 5e (Intro/Resolution): Authorize grant application for a modular vehicle barrier trailer — introduced into committee (voice vote). - 7A (Adopted): Authorize application for a $632,329 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for the Lackawanna Avenue streetscape project — adopted on roll-call vote (King, Shuster, Rothschild, McAndrew, Smearl — all Yes). - 7B (Adopted): Authorize application for a $2,007,938 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for the NAOG Waterway Phase 2 project — adopted on roll-call vote (King, Shuster, Rothschild, McAndrew, Smearl — all Yes).

What remains unresolved Councilors and residents requested more detail about: long-term maintenance plans (who will maintain sensor systems and landscaped elements), how American Water basins and other utilities will be coordinated with bump-outs and curb changes, how visually impaired pedestrians will be accommodated with any new sensor-based crossings, and specific lists of downtown businesses contacted during outreach. Several council members expressed openness to further public input before final ordinances are adopted.

The council’s introductions move the items to committee review; proponents and critics expect additional hearings and technical briefings before final votes on any ordinance.