Transportation Planning

The Luzerne County Department of Planning and Zoning represents the County and its 76 municipalities as a Planning Partner, along with the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission, in the Lackawanna-Luzerne Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (LLTS MPO). The Transportation Planning staff works with PennDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit Administration in adopting and planning transportation related projects in the region, including: 

  • Bridges
  • Highway
  • Public transportation
  • Roads
  • Trails

Interested persons may contact our transportation planning staff with any transportation project related questions: 

Chapman, Christopher A.Transportation PlannerEmail Christopher A. Chapman570-825-1564
Shaw, Jonathan C.Transportation PlannerEmail Jonathan C. Shaw
570-825-1563

Greater detail about the MPO and the Transportation Improvement Plan can be found at the MPO website.


Widening of Interstate-81

PennDOT is planning to widen I-81 between Nuangola and Wilkes-Barre beginning in 2025. More information on the project can be found at this link.

PennDOT also plans to widen I-81 between Avoca and Scranton (in Lackawanna County) beginning as early as 2028 (this project would take at least 5 years) finishing around 2033.  More information on that project is expected to be released publicly in February 2023.


2022 Roadway Safety Review Report

The safety review report for troublesome intersections surveyed in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties between Sept. and October 2022 is available here. The final version of the report, which includes ideas for increasing safety and improving traffic flow at these sites, was published on Jan. 24, 2023.  Questions may be directed to Christopher Chapman or Jonathan Shaw.


2021-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan

The 2021-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Lackawanna-Luzerne Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (LLTS MPO) was adopted unanimously by that body's Coordinating Committee on Feb. 3, 2021.  Updated every five years, the LRTP is a 25-year plan that guides prioritization and investment in the region's transportation infrastructure improvement projects.

The LRTP may be viewed here.  More information can be found on the MPO webpage or by contacting Christopher Chapman via email or at 570-825-1564.