Interstate 81

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials are "strongly advising" Northeast Pennsylvania commuters to avoid Interstate 81 this week due to multiple construction projects in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

PennDOT District 4 has significant work planned on Interstate 81 north and south this week at numerous locations in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

The unique sounds of bagpipes are hard to miss this time of year with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happening around the region. But the Greater Scranton Black Diamonds pipe band had to cancel appearances last year after their bus crashed traveling home from a parade in the Poconos. This year, they’re back on the streets.

PennDOT plans a $126 million upgrade of the road surfaces, ramps and bridges around where interstates 84/380 and 81 meet over the next five years.