The City of Scranton and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) partnered to replace the deteriorating Parker Street Bridge, a vital connection between the Green Ridge neighborhood, North Main Avenue and Interstate 81. After years of weight restrictions and lane closures, the structure was no longer capable of supporting reliable travel for residents, emergency responders, or local businesses. Through a first-of-its-kind ownership transfer, PennDOT assumed design and construction oversight, enabling STV to deliver a modern, resilient bridge that restores mobility and supports the city’s long-term redevelopment plans.
What challenges did STV address?
The new structure had to fit precisely within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ flood-control levee opening – a strict geometric envelope that could not alter river flow or jeopardize FEMA or Army Corps certification. STV also managed community engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring one of PennDOT District 4’s first virtual public involvement programs. Maintaining access to the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail during construction added another layer of complexity.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV used advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling to simulate the Lackawanna River system and confirm that the new structure maintained the required flood-control performance. The team designed a two-span, 150-foot adjacent box-beam bridge with improved sidewalks, drainage and a durable epoxy overlay – one of the district’s first applications. To keep the Heritage Trail open, STV coordinated the installation of a temporary 170-foot prefabricated truss bridge. The project also piloted PennDOT’s Utility Relocation Management System (URMS) to streamline coordination among utility owners.
How does the reconstructed bridge benefit the community?
Completed in a single construction season and under budget, the new Parker Street Bridge restores a crucial east-west link, improves emergency response times and strengthens connections for residents, businesses, freight operators, pedestrians and cyclists. The structure integrates with Scranton’s planned riverfront redevelopment and provides a replicable model for small municipalities seeking cost-effective, community-oriented infrastructure renewal.
Key Stats and Accolades
- Client partnership: City of Scranton and PennDOT District 4
- Two-span, 150-foot adjacent box-beam structure
- Designed within U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control envelope
- One of District 4’s first epoxy deck overlay applications
- Temporary 170-foot truss bridge maintained trail access during construction
- Delivered under budget and within a single construction season
