SCRANTON, PA. – The City of Scranton continues to pursue projects to improve stormwater management in different neighborhoods, including the areas of Keyser Valley and North Scranton that were flooded two years ago today.
“As we recognize the anniversary of the September 2023 flood, we continue to work harder than ever to protect our neighborhoods from extreme weather,” Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. “No matter what part of Scranton you live in, you deserve to live free from the devastating effects that heavy rain and flooding can cause.”
Projects Currently Underway
In an invitation to bid (ITB) that closed in early August, B.T. Adams was awarded a contract for $40,001.60 for the removal of debris in Lindy Creek. The project will be paid through Scranton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
Lindy Creek was overwhelmed in September 2023, causing significant flooding and damage to dozens of Keyser Valley homes. The debris removal project focused on the basins along Frink Street, the Lindy Creek U-Channel near South Dewey Avenue, and the Lindy Creek-to-Keyser Creek confluence.
In addition to Lindy Creek, Kriger Pipeline was awarded a contract $90,080 for the Keyser Valley stormwater pipe cleaning project. The project will also be funded through ARPA and includes the restoration of more than 2,300 linear feet of identified storm pipes to their full conveyance capacity through the “removal of sediment, debris, and obstructions.” Work is expected to be completed this fall.
North Scranton Plans
The City opened ITBs in August for two North Scranton stormwater projects, aiding another section of the City impacted by the September 2023 flood. Both are funded through ARPA and a $424,046 COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Financing Authority.
Bids for the North Scranton Stormwater – North Main Avenue project will be accepted through Scranton’s procurement portal at https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/scrantonpa until 10 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 16, with a deadline for questions by 11:59 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 10. The first project includes stormwater improvements on North Main Avenue, Reese Street, Watkins Street, and to the on- and off-ramps to Interstate 81, including the construction of new and replacement of existing stormwater sewers.
Bids are also being accepted for the North Scranton Stormwater – Lemon and Augusta project until 1 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 17, with questions accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Tues., Sept. 9, with infrastructure improvements focused on the area near Lemon Street and Augusta Drive.
Keyser Valley Companion Projects
The City opened ITBs for two other ARPA-funded companion projects in Keyser Valley on September 4. The first, for Fawnwood Phase 1 Stormwater Improvements, focuses on the northeast corner of the Fawnwood Heights development and aims to improve stormwater conveyance and implement erosion control measures. Bids will be accepted until 9 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 23, with questions accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 19.
Residents of Fawnwood Heights are also reminded of the need for signed easements with the City of Scranton in order for these important projects to proceed.
The second project includes small stormwater conveyance system repairs and upgrades at sites on Dewey Avenue to convey stormwater to the Merrifield Avenue pump station, on Fawnwood Drive to remove and replace storm pipes, and on Ridgeview Drive to install larger pipes to better control the flow of stormwater. Bids for the Fawnwood Contract 1 project are open until 11 a.m. on Tues., Sept. 23, with questions also due by 11:59 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 19.
Ongoing Work
Stormwater management, infrastructure improvement, and public safety programs have been hallmarks of Mayor Cognetti’s administration. The City has committed nearly $23 million of its $68.7 million ARPA funds, in addition to City funds and other grant awards, to stormwater management projects.
Several projects still require easements from property owners to enact planned improvements and help protect homes and neighborhoods from future disasters. Residents are urged to review and sign their property easements to enable progress, as federal guidelines require that ARPA spending must be completed by December 2026.
Residents with questions about their easements should contact Morgan Fetsock at mfetsock@scrantonpa.gov or (570) 504-4943, or Tom Rable at trable@scrantonpa.gov or (570) 348-4224.
ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov
ABOUT MAYOR PAIGE G. COGNETTI: Paige G. Cognetti was sworn in as the 36th Mayor of Scranton in January 2020. Her administration is focused on driving economic growth, upgrading infrastructure, ensuring public safety, fostering government transparency and efficiency, and improving residents’ overall quality of life.
Scranton Stormwater Projects Remain a High Priority | Press Release
Last modified: September 9, 2025
