Scranton council approves downtown streetscape plan after weeks of public debate

Scranton City Council on Oct. 28 approved a package of streetscape changes intended to improve downtown walkability, slow vehicle speeds and support economic activity.

The final package, which the public works committee recommended for a final vote, included installation of all-way stop signs at selected intersections, conversion of specified one-way streets to two-way operation and establishment of new no-parking zones. Council members recorded roll-call votes to adopt items 7a (all-way stops), 7b (one- to two-way conversions) and 7c (no-parking zones). The council also approved a grant application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for portions of the Lackawanna Avenue streetscape (item 7g).

City officials and outside experts told council the proposal rests on professional planning and engineering work coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and walkability specialists. "This plan addresses our outdated infrastructure and our complex traffic…