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 "This plan addresses our outdated infrastructure and our complex traffic patterns while positioning the downtown for future economic growth and safety," said Leslie Collins, president and CEO of Scranton Tomorrow, citing community outreach, engineers' work and earlier planning events.

Supporters framed the project as a once-in-a-generation use of federal and grant dollars to repair sidewalks, modernize underground utilities, calm traffic and increase street-level activity. "When you pass these resolutions this evening, you will have more people downtown walking around," said Frank Dubas, a downtown property owner who said he intends to include affordable units in future developments.

Opponents and some residents raised safety and process concerns. Les Miller, who spoke against the plan at multiple meetings, cited the fire chief's and a former city engineer's testimony that replacing signals with stop signs could slow emergency vehicles and that, in some studies, stop signs do not reduce speeds. "Replacing traffic lights with stop signs is gonna slow the fire trucks down," Miller said during public comment.

Council members debated those trade-offs on the record. One councilmember noted PennDOT reviews the entire streetscape permit package and that substantive changes to signalization could require re-submission and delay the project. The administration and project engineers told council they performed truck-turn simulations and included flashing beacons and other mitigations at key crosswalks.

Councilmembers voting in favor emphasized the project’s infrastructure upgrades beyond signal changes. "This plan isn't contingent upon two-way streets and stoplight removal," one councilmember said, noting the funding will also support stormwater, curbs, sidewalks and underground utilities.

The council approved the measures by roll call after final discussion. The ordinance and accompanying resolutions were declared legally adopted and the administration was directed to continue coordination with PennDOT and implement the agreed project components.

Council members and staff also noted a 30-day and subsequent trial period will allow adjustments after installation. Project supporters urged use of that period to monitor emergency response, traffic operations and parking impacts and to make tweaks where needed.

The changes follow years of local planning led by walkability consultants and participation from local organizations including Scranton Tomorrow, the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and numerous downtown property owners and businesses. Several speakers said they hoped the streetscape would increase pedestrian activity and business patronage while improving safety for older residents, children and people using mobility devices.

Administration and council said they will provide additional technical exhibits and follow-ups on emergency vehicle access, truck-turn analysis and specific signal/stop sign conversions as the design is finalized and implemented.