SOUTH ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Scranton Beltway Project is stirring up concern in not one, but two counties.
On Wednesday, 28/22 News reported on how several residents in Luzerne County could lose their homes if the project takes place.
The same could happen to some in Lackawanna County, but that's not their only concern.
28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli was at the second public hearing on Thursday.
The removal of homes, insertion of retention ponds, and addition of sound barriers are all on the list of worries.
Three sound barriers are said to be placed in the area with one behind Willow Lane.
Residents on this street are afraid it's not enough.
Ann and Walter Thompkins have lived on Willow Lane for 47 years and say the traffic that passes through Interstate 81 right behind their home is not that much of a bother.
"It really isn't behind our house. I'm out there on our deck watching the trucks and cars go by and it's not that bad," Ann explained.
28/22 News first spoke with the Thompkins back in 2018 when the project was first discussed.
The couple was fighting to keep their home which was on the list to go at that time. That has since changed.
They are now concerned about the wall that will go up in their backyard.
"You know it's not very far from the back of our house so it's not something we are looking forward to at all," Ann continued.
If the Scranton Beltway Project goes through, traffic would shift from I-81 to the PA Turnpike.
Residents raise concerns over Scranton Beltway Project
Highway speed ramps would then be installed, moving the interstate closer to the Thompkins' home and their neighbors.
To help with the noise, the Turnpike Commission is proposing three sound barriers, one of which will be right behind Willow Lane.
"They don't seem to be making them tall enough which would be inadequate from any protection from the increased sound by moving the highway closer to our home," said Willow Lane resident Sally Korb.
The wall will be 3,009 feet in length and 14 to 16 feet high.
The Korbs feel that's not going to cut it with their property being higher than the interstate.
"What we recommend tonight is what we intend to build. We have criteria that we don't deviate from and we haven't for a few decades," said Turnpike Commission Assistant Chief Engineer for Design Kevin Scheurich.
Scheurich says the studies that have taken place in the last several years take into consideration noise, future volume projections, and density.
"We always try and do right by us and the turnpike and our customers, and we try and do right by our neighbors. Until we start building that trust and communication, that doesn't happen, that takes time," Scheurich continued.
No matter the changes, the Thompkins say they're staying put.
"We're not moving. When this first started I told them we aren't going to move," Ann stated.
The other sound barriers being proposed are near Edella Road and Briar Hill Circle.
