Scranton improves its pave-cut rules for better monitoring, oversight

Yahoo

15-05-2025

Scranton has revamped its pave-cut rules for better oversight of restoration of utility excavations in roads, the mayor announced Tuesday.
Earlier this year, Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti proposed improvements to Scranton City Council in the city's street excavation and openings code, also known as the pave-cut ordinance. Amendments approved by council in April give the city new tools and regulations to improve the condition of roads, the announcement said.
Improved standards and third-party accountability have become increasingly necessary as more companies that build infrastructure in Scranton do so by excavating roads to install lines and equipment, she said. For example, internet companies Comcast, Loop and Verizon each are working in the city to deliver fiber optic internet to residents. Since Jan. 1, Scranton has received more than 260 permit requests for street excavations, an average of almost two permits per day.
'I am extremely frustrated by the insufficient repair of Scranton's roads by outside groups this past winter. While we are excited about the high level of infrastructure improvement activity across the city, this work has to be done right. We are pressing these firms to repair our roads quickly and, most important, properly,' Cognetti said in the statement. 'The amendments to the pave-cut ordinance approved last month, plus diligent work by our project management team, help us track street openings through an improved permit process that holds companies responsible for restoring our roads.'
Previously, the city used a decentralized paper permit system for street excavations. The city in December approved prior updates to the pave-cut ordinance and a contract with a third-party engineering firm to do pave-cut inspections. Changes under the latest amendment include:
• The permit process has been moved online into a system called OpenGov, which provides greater ability to track pave cuts, receive payments and flag problems for repairs.
• Pavement restoration must meet the state Department of Transportation standards.
• Traffic control, safety personnel and coordination of road closures with the Lackawanna County Emergency Communication Center.
• A new, color-coded asphalt tag based on type of utility work performed.
• Added inspections occurring before excavation, during the work and after restoration.
• Late fees and the ability to issue quality-of-life tickets through Scranton's Code Enforcement Office for violations.
• Permits required within 24 hours after emergency work, so the city can track restoration results going forward.
Members of the administration also detailed the improvements to council in a council caucus Tuesday.
'I'm thrilled that the amended ordinance … puts more of you involved and there's more tracking and there's more oversight,' Councilman Mark McAndrew said during the caucus. He has noticed inconsistent sealing of pave-cut restorations, with some having been done over a year ago. 'So who's watching that now?' he asked.
City Business Administrator Eileen Cipriani said the city also reviews the Pennsylvania One Call system, also known as PA One Call, which requires contractors and homeowners to call 811 at least three business days before starting any digging or excavation project.
'We're going back through the historic 'PA One Calls' and that's how we're identifying who was the utility that was involved. Then we reach out to the utility to have them address this issue,' Cipriani said.
Cognetti said her administration also has made strides in collaborating with utilities by continuing monthly meetings and developing stronger communications. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission also is monitoring for mischaracterized emergency work across the state, which adds another layer to Scranton's enforcement, the announcement said.