Public Meeting & Plans Display

2026 I-81 Northbound Bridge over West Foothills Drive Project

Date: December 12, 2023
Time: 4:30 - 6:00 PM (Plans Display), 6:00 PM (Presentation at the Butler Township Supervisors Meeting)
Location: Butler Township Municipal Building, 83 Corporate Drive, Drums, PA 18222

Webpages: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-4/PublicMeetings/Luzerne%20County/Pages/Interstate-81-Section-362.aspx

Project Description

The existing structure is a concrete spread box beam bridge with an overall structure length of 127'. The existing structure is in poor condition and does not meet current design standards. The bridge will be replaced with a wider structure to provide the required lane and shoulder widths and maintain two lanes of traffic during all stages of traffic control. The project also consists of the construction of a stormwater management facility along the northeast quadrant of I-81 NB/West Foothills Drive.

Traffic Control/Impacts

You will probably be most interested in the timing of the project and the impacts to traffic during construction. This information along with detour plans can be found on the referenced website, but can be summarized as follows:

• Construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2026 and complete by fall of 2027. 
• Traffic impacts are summarized below but the exact timing of the traffic impacts summarized below will not be determined until later in the design process:

• I-81 Northbound: Short-term single lane closures for inside and outside shoulder work. Overnight short-term right lane closures to deliver beams for the third stage of construction.
• I-81 Southbound: Overnight short-term left lane closures to deliver beams to the project for the second stage of construction.
• West Foothills Drive: Short-term and long-term detours will be necessary for full-depth roadway reconstruction as well as bridge demolition and construction. 

• From eastbound T-425 (West Foothills Drive) turn left onto T-338 (Center Hill Road).
• Turn right onto T-429 (Butler Dr./W.Butler Drive).
• Turn right onto County Highway 39 (South Beisels Road)
• Turn right onto SR 3021 (Old Turnpike Road)
• Merge onto T-376 (Short Street)
• Turn left onto T-425 (West Foothills Drive).
• End of detour.  Westbound detour same in opposite direction.

Plans displayed at the Butler Township Building, 83 Corporate Drive, Drums, PA from 12/12/2023 to 1/5/2024. JMT representatives will be present before the Supervisors meeting starting at 4:30 PM to answer any questions from the public.  The JMT representatives will also make a very brief presentation about the project during the meeting.  The plans will remain on display until 1/5/2024.

Documents

SR 81 over West Foothills Drive Bridge Replacement452.55 KB

District 4 Public Meeting Comment Form181.09 KB

Now Accepting Applications

Luzerne County is pleased to open the application process for its Luzerne County Small Business Sustainability Grant Program.

One-time, $5,000 grant awards will be distributed to successful applicants that meet all eligibility requirements. Grants must be used for expenses related to supporting ongoing business operations including: Payroll and/or employee benefits; Mortgage or rent payments; Utility, inventory or equipment costs; Other operating costs; and/or Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to support business planning.

The goal of this program is to help mitigate the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses, keep their doors open, protect local jobs, support community economic recovery, and increase resiliency across Luzerne County.

The application process is straightforward to encourage all eligible businesses in Luzerne County to apply.

The intention of this program is to distribute grant funds of $5,000 to eligible businesses with less than 20 Full Time Equivalent Employees. Businesses with 20 or more Full Time Employees may be eligible for up to $10,000 as funding allows. All applicants, regardless of size or entity type, must complete the Applicant Information and Attestation Form to be considered for funding.

This program is being administered for Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, by the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Greater Hazleton and Greater Wyoming Valley Chambers of Commerce.

Please visit https://www.luzernecountyready.org/ for more information.

Today, Luzerne County Road and Bridge will close the Sleepy Hollow Road Bridge due to advanced section loss of the floor beams. The replacement of the bridge won’t take place until late 2024. Understandably, this creates difficulties with adding another Butler Township bridge closure to our list; especially with winter approaching. Thank you for your continued patience while our roads become and remain safe for all who travel them.

Butler Township property owners affected by significant stormwater runoff issues should report by email with details and pictures to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management has reported 1 mosquito sample testing positive for West Nile Virus in Butler Township, Luzerne County. Additional mosquito surveillance, sampling, and larval control are being performed as necessary by the Luzerne Conservation District Mosquito-borne Disease Control Program staff.

With West Nile Virus found in a mosquito sample in the township, it is important that residents take time to inspect their yards and take a few minutes to clean up and dump out any sources of stagnant water. Mosquito surveillance indicates that many common mosquito species in residential areas come from artificial containers left behind by humans. Artificial containers such as tires, buckets, child toys, tarps, and even swimming pools are preferred by mosquitoes because natural predators that prey on mosquito larvae are not present. One bucket or tire in someone’s backyard can produce hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes in a year.

Please note that West Nile Virus (WNV) is not new to Luzerne County. It first appeared in Pennsylvania in 2000 and has consistently been found in Luzerne County since then. Butler and Hanover Townships hold the first Luzerne WNV positives in 2023. Residents can contact the Luzerne Conservation District Mosquito-borne Disease Control Program by calling 570-674-7991 x6 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information on West Nile Virus, please visit https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/Vector-Management/Mosquitoes/Pages/default.aspx.

Current Counties Positive for West Nile Virus

Tips to Reduce Mosquito Breeding in Your Home

• Don't let water go stagnant. Mosquitoes need stagnant, still water to lay their eggs and for the young to successfully hatch and mature.
• Dump stagnant water out.
• Pick up your litter.
• Pay attention to your water features.
• Drain or throw out tires.
• Declutter and get rid of junk in your yard.

Dear Homeowner:

JMF Underground Inc. is currently completing the construction process for underground pipe installation. There will be crews following to tie in and complete connections of this installation which may result in further excavation.

Once all construction has been completed, landscaping crews will return to backfill, spread topsoil, seed, and straw as needed to return the area to the best condition possible. Aside from grass, we will not replant greenage in prohibited areas which includes but is not limited to areas around power/ gas meters and areas around power transformers. Please be kind and water the new grass and please do not mow the new grass till it has firmly been established. Asphalt and concrete crews will follow shortly to repair any damages that were caused. If this work is taking place within the winter months, our restoration, asphalt and concrete crews will be returning to start repairs beginning April.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office at 717-697-4029.