SCRANTON, PA. – Mayor Paige G. Cognetti aims to improve the City of Scranton’s Street openings and excavations code, commonly referred to as its “pave cut ordinance,” with amendments presented to Scranton City Council for introduction on March 18, 2025.
Changes help clarify utility companies’ obligation to restore Scranton’s Road conditions, meet current Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) standards and Scranton permit requirements, establish traffic control, and more.
“We won’t tolerate substandard work on Scranton roads. Our updated pave cut ordinance, improved permit process, and data capabilities enable us to better hold utility companies responsible for restoring roads after their work is complete,” Mayor Cognetti said.
Legislation provided to City Council this week proposes the following changes:
- Updates regulations for immediate temporary pavement restoration after utility work is complete and permanent pavement restoration between 30 and 90 days after temporary restoration;
- Requires that pavement restoration meets the most current edition of PennDOT regulations;
- Adds a required new asphalt tag, color-coded by the type of utility work performed, for future identification of parties responsible for road restoration;
- Requires traffic control and safety personnel as well as the coordination of road closures with the Lackawanna County Emergency Communication Center; and
- Updates permit and inspection fees for street openings.
The pave cut ordinance is one of the essential tools the City uses to ensure roads are safe throughout Scranton.
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.