Scranton council advances downtown streetscape steps, including signal removals and two-way conversions, amid safety debate

Council members advanced sections of a proposed downtown streetscape plan on Oct. 15, introducing measures that would remove or replace some traffic signals with all-way stop controls and convert certain one-way streets to two-way, while proponents said the work addresses aging infrastructure and pedestrian safety.

The council read by title an ordinance to install all-way stops at specified downtown intersections and read by title a separate ordinance to convert certain downtown streets from one-way to two-way (and vice versa) as outlined in the plan. Both measures were moved forward after debate; council members said a 90-day trial period would allow the city to assess and adjust changes where warranted.

Why it matters: The plan combines pedestrian-safety work—curb improvements, bump-outs, and crossings—with traffic-control changes and stormwater and sidewalk repairs. Supporters say the package is intended to calm traffic, make downtown more walkable for residents and visitors, and address a backlog of aging downtown infrastructure. Opponents warned the changes could slow emergency response, reduce diagonal parking on sections of Penn Avenue and complicate turning movements for large vehicles.

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