DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Drivers, the wait is finally over! After nearly a year of construction, the reconfigured Exit 2 off Interstate 84 to Elmhurst is officially open.
For anyone who's been frustrated the past 11 months with that eight-mile detour to get to Elmhurst from I-84, you can now take the exit you've been missing.
The newly reworked flyover ramp moves Exit 2 from the left side of the highway to the right, making it easier and safer to get onto Route 435.
"When you travel the Interstate throughout our country, you expect the exits to be on your right, and it makes for a safer environment, it makes for a safer roadway, so we're pleased to have this done," said PennDOT District 4 District Executive Richard Roman.
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This 14-foot-wide ramp is designed to make the daily commute smoother for all drivers, the shift makes it more intuitive and seamless to exit the highway.
"There's been an eight-mile detour for anyone who wants to come from 84 to 435 so for the last 330 plus days, they've been taking that eight-mile detour which puts them out of their way, so now they'll be able to make the direct connection from 84 to 435," Roman said.
But while this ramp reconfiguration is a big win for drivers, the larger project is far from over, the twin bridges project still has a couple more years of work ahead before it's fully complete.
"We have about two more years of replacing the bridges over the roaring brook, so hopefully by the end of 2026 the entire project will be open," Roman added.
The ramp officially opened up to drivers earlier Thursday afternoon.
