SCRANTON — The state Department of Transportation has announced plans to demolish a 67-year-old unused bridge over Interstate 81 in North Scranton.
A remnant from the waning days of coal mining in the area, the steel and concrete bridge was believed to have been built in 1958 by PennDOT when construction of the interstate split the former Storrs Colliery property, according to archives of The Times-Tribune.
An unused bridge over Interstate 81 in North Scranton, in middle of photo over the highway, which is also Route 6 in that area. PennDOT announced on Monday, April 28, 2025 plans to remove the bridge believed to date to 1958. (IMAGE COPIED / GOOGLE)
At the time of constructing the highway, PennDOT decided it would cost less to build the bridge for $200,000 than to buy all of the land that the interstate cut off from the colliery’s center of operations in nearby Dickson City, according to a Feb. 17, 1997, article about the bridge. In 1958, the Viewmont Mall and the later Viewmont Commerce Center did not exist.
At the time of the 1997 article about the bridge, it was already nearly 40 years old and was “technically closed,” and apparently had never been used much — if at all — because the colliery had closed not long after the bridge was completed, the 1997 article reported.
Known as the Route 2107 bridge, or Rockwell Avenue bridge, it crosses over I-81 between the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County on Rockwell Avenue and the Staples store and a hotel, both off Viewmont Drive.
An unused bridge over Interstate 81 in North Scranton, in middle of photo along the Rockwell Avenue alignment. PennDOT announced on Monday, April 28, 2025 plans to remove the bridge believed to date to 1958. (IMAGE COPIED / GOOGLE)
The bridge has long had concrete barriers blocking vehicle access. Pedestrian use also is prohibited but a foot trail is visible through weeds on the Staples side of the crossing.
Though unused, the aging bridge situated between Exit 190 and Exit 191 of the interstate represents a safety risk and PennDOT has begun engineering efforts to remove it.
“The purpose of the project is to remove the existing, abandoned crossing over Interstate 81 to enhance public safety, improve infrastructure and eliminate potential structural hazards,” PennDOT said in announcement Monday.
The unused Route 2107 (Rockwell Avenue) bridge over Interstate 81 on Monday, April 28, 2025, when PennDOT announced an upcoming project to demolish the bridge to eliminate potential structural hazards, promote public safety and focus on other infrastructure priorities. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The project study area will extend approximately 100 feet north and south along Interstate 81 from the bridge and approximately 200 feet along the eastern and western approaches to the span.
PennDOT is hosting online a virtual display of the plans and an online public-comment form through May 26. The online information can be accessed by visiting the PennDOT District 4 website and clicking on Projects Near You and then searching for the Route 2107 (Rockwell Avenue) over Interstate 81 Bridge Project.
Currently in a preliminary engineering phase, the project involves wetland and water studies, environmental clearances, surveys, drainage design and preliminary right-of-way activities. The online information does not specify a time frame for the project, but lists it as “ongoing.”
According to PennDOT: “This bridge removal project aims to improve safety, reduce maintenance and enhance the overall functionality of Scranton’s transportation network. By eliminating this potential hazard, the project supports PennDOT’s goals of maintaining secure and efficient infrastructure. Additionally, the project will help strengthen the long-term sustainability of the network by addressing aging structures and reducing future problems.”
An unused bridge over Interstate 81 in North Scranton, in middle of photo along the Rockwell Avenue alignment. PennDOT announced on Monday, April 28, 2025 plans to remove the bridge believed to date to 1958. (IMAGE COPIED / GOOGLE)
An unused bridge over Interstate 81 in North Scranton, in middle of photo over the highway, which is also Route 6 in that area. PennDOT announced on Monday, April 28, 2025 plans to remove the bridge believed to date to 1958. (IMAGE COPIED / GOOGLE)
An unused bridge over Interstate 81 in North Scranton sits beyond the barricaded wooded area in middle of photo. PennDOT announced on Monday, April 28, 2025 plans to remove the bridge believed to date to 1958. (IMAGE COPIED / GOOGLE)
The unused Route 2107 (Rockwell Avenue) bridge over Interstate 81 on Monday, April 28, 2025, when PennDOT announced an upcoming project to remove the bridge to eliminate potential structural hazards, promote public safety and focus on other infrastructure priorities. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The unused Route 2107 (Rockwell Avenue) bridge over Interstate 81 on Monday, April 28, 2025, when PennDOT announced an upcoming project to demolish the bridge to eliminate potential structural hazards, promote public safety and focus on other infrastructure priorities. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The unused Route 2107 (Rockwell Avenue) bridge over Interstate 81 on Monday, April 28, 2025, when PennDOT announced an upcoming project to demolish the bridge to eliminate potential structural hazards, promote public safety and focus on other infrastructure priorities. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The unused Route 2107 (Rockwell Avenue) bridge over Interstate 81 on Monday, April 28, 2025, when PennDOT announced an upcoming project to remove the bridge to eliminate potential structural hazards, promote public safety and focus on other infrastructure priorities. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)