79-706: U.S. Route 11 ( US 11 ) roughly parallels Interstate 81 (I-81) in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania . The route runs from the Maryland state line in Antrim Township , Franklin County , northeast to the New York state line in Great Bend Township , Susquehanna County . US 11 serves Harrisburg , Wilkes-Barre , and Scranton . Between Harrisburg and Scranton, US 11 follows
158-520: A crowd of miners used to gather nightly on the steps of Mackin Brothers' Store, a scene described by Con Carbon in a popular ballad of the 1890s: And once thy peaceful tide The Far Downs and Connaught men Fight, and then make up again, Dutch and Scotch and English men— All like chickens in a pen. The powder smoke does be so thick, You could not cut it with a pick, The smell of gas would make you sick In front of Mackin's store. Throughout
237-580: A fishing pier, and two grand gateways connecting the city to the river. The city's population was in constant decline from the 1930s through 2010, but losses stopped that decade, and it saw growth as of 2020. As of the 2020 census , there were 44,328 people and 15,581 households residing in the city. The population density was 5,945 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 69.80% White , 14.90% African American , 0.40% Native American , 2.4% Asian , 0.20% Pacific Islander , and 4.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 21.0% of
316-412: A labor force for the city's mines. The mining of high-quality anthracite coal fueled industrialization in the city, which reached the height of its prosperity in the first half of the 20th century. Its population peaked at more than 86,000 in 1930. Following World War II , the city's economy declined due to the collapse of industry. The Knox Mine disaster accelerated this trend after large portions of
395-474: A settlement near Mill Creek . They planted wheat and constructed log cabins. The Yankees returned to New England for the winter. The Connecticut settlers returned in the spring of 1763 with their families and additional supplies. A party of Iroquois also visited the area with the dual purpose of turning the Lenape tribe against the colonists and killing Teedyuscung , a local Lenape chief. On April 19, 1763,
474-620: A tanker crashed and caught fire at the interchange between I-81 and US 22/US 322 in Harrisburg. The fire damaged the bridges carrying westbound US 22/US 322 and a ramp over I-81. At least one of those bridges, carrying US 22 eastbound over I-81 and several ramps, and possibly another, the ramp carrying traffic from I-81 northbound to US 22/US 322 westbound, would have to be demolished and replaced. The fire resulted in about 10 miles (16 km) of I-81 being closed in both directions, with traffic being diverted along
553-636: Is PA 171 near Hallstead . I-81 reaches the New York state line four miles (6.4 km) north of exit 230. A toll highway along the present-day I-81 corridor through Pennsylvania was planned in the 1950s. The section from Scranton to the New York state line was planned as a continuation of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike . A new extension of the turnpike between Harrisburg and Scranton
632-583: Is 6b except in downtown and other areas near the river which are 7a. The city is significantly warmer than the W-B/Scranton Airport due to the airport's higher latitude and elevation. Wilkes-Barre has a Downtown Riverfront Park system that contains 91 acres of open space. Kirby Park is a public park located along the western bank of the Susquehanna River. Kirby Park is one of the region's most valued recreational resources. Given to
711-618: Is a city in and the county seat of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania , United States. Located at the center of the Wyoming Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania , it had a population of 44,328 in the 2020 census. It is the second-largest city, after Scranton , in the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area , which had a population of 567,559 as of the 2020 census , making it
790-549: Is a north–south Interstate Highway , stretching from Dandridge, Tennessee , northeast to Fisher's Landing, New York , at the Canada–United States border . In Pennsylvania , I-81 runs for 232.76 miles (374.59 km) from the Maryland state line northeast to the New York state line near Hallstead and is called the American Legion Memorial Highway . The interstate enters the state near
869-636: Is a short freeway called the President Biden Expressway , which heads into downtown Scranton. At milemarker 187, I-81 is at the Throop Dunmore Interchange, which consists of I-84 , I-380 , and US 6 . US 6 merges with I-81 for seven miles (11 km) from milemarkers 187 to 194. At milemarker 194 is the northern terminus of I-476. The last exit in Pennsylvania is exit 230, which
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#1732772400377948-549: Is also located on the west side of the Susquehanna River. It is located across from Kirby Park. Nesbitt is open to the public. It has walking paths and areas for picnicking. The River Common is located along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River. The Market Street Bridge bisects the park. The River Common joins with the Luzerne County Courthouse grounds. Its features include a 750-person amphitheater, paved walk-ways, gardens, ornamental trees, seating areas,
1027-519: Is known locally as the "Miracle Mile" since it contains plenty of traveler services including restaurants, gas stations, lodging, truck stops, and shops. From here, I-81 travels in an almost precisely east–west direction for the next 37 miles (60 km) (until exit 89). At exit 59, it has an interchange with the western terminus of PA 581 . I-81 becomes the Capital Beltway from exit 59 to exit 70. At exit 67,
1106-548: Is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year (though the summer months receive more precipitation). Extreme temperatures range from −21 °F (−29.4 °C) on January 21, 1994, to 103 °F (39.4 °C) on July 9, 1936. Wilkes-Barre averages 2,303 hours of sunshine per year, ranging from a low of 96 hours in December (or 33% of possible sunshine) to 286 hours in July (or 62% of possible sunshine). The hardiness zone
1185-548: Is used or a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Winters are cold with a January average of 28.0 °F (−2.2 °C). The surrounding mountains have an influence on the climate (including both precipitation and temperatures), leading to wide variations within a short distance. On average, temperatures below 0 °F (−17.8 °C) are infrequent, occurring 2.5 days per year, and there are 34.9 days where
1264-474: The French Asylum settlement. Wilkes-Barre's population skyrocketed due to the discovery of anthracite coal in the 19th century. In 1808, Judge Jesse Fell of Wilkes-Barre discovered a solution to ignite anthracite with the usage of an iron grate; it allowed for the coal to light and burn more easily. This invention increased the popularity of anthracite as a fuel source. This led to the expansion of
1343-768: The New York–Pennsylvania border in Great Bend Township . This stretch was originally built from 1918 to 1922 on the old route of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad and is called the "Lackawanna Trail". It parallels the current rail route between Scranton and Binghamton, New York , the Nicholson Cutoff , allowing views of the massive earthworks and the Tunkhannock Viaduct . Prior to 1941, US 11 followed Walnut Bottom Road between Shippensburg and Carlisle while PA 33 ran along
1422-802: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) released their plans for a new exit 12 on I-81, at Guilford Springs Road, estimated to cost around $ 23 million. The purpose for the exit is to improve access for trucks to the various distribution warehouses south of Chambersburg, such as Target . As such, Guilford Springs Road will be widened to three lanes as a part of this project. PennDOT has started obtaining environmental clearances and will start to seek rights-of-way in 2020 from approximately 7-10 properties. PennDOT will look at bids for construction starting in 2023. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre ( / ˈ w ɪ l k s b ɛər i / WILKS -bair-ee )
1501-447: The Pennsylvania Turnpike ( I-76 ), and then I-81 roughly one mile (1.6 km) later. The stretch of US 11 between I-76 and I-81 is known as the "Miracle Mile" since it contains plenty of traveler services including restaurants, gas stations, lodging, truck stops, and shops. There is no direct interchange between the two Interstates, so travelers must use this stretch, or travel through downtown Carlisle, to get from one Interstate to
1580-606: The Susquehanna River , while I-81 follows a shorter route over the mountains further to the east. US 11 enters Pennsylvania parallel to I-81 south of Greencastle in Antrim Township , Franklin County . The two routes head to the northeast, running parallel to each other as they pass through Chambersburg , where they intersect US 30 , Shippensburg , and Carlisle . Northeast of Carlisle in Middlesex Township , US 11 has interchanges with
1659-415: The 1800s, canals and railroads were constructed to aid in the mining and transportation of coal. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants flocked to the city; they were seeking jobs in the numerous mines and collieries that sprang up throughout the region . In 1806, Wilkes-Barre Borough was formed from a segment of Wilkes-Barre Township; it was later incorporated as a city in 1871. This was the direct result of
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#17327724003771738-808: The 18th century, the Wyoming Valley was inhabited by the Shawnee and Lenape , also known as Delaware Indian tribes. In 1753, the Susquehanna Company was founded in Connecticut for settling the Wyoming Valley in present-day Pennsylvania . Connecticut succeeded in purchasing the land from the Native Americans ; however, Pennsylvania already claimed the very same territory through a purchase they made in 1736. In 1762, roughly two hundred Connecticut settlers ( Yankees ) established
1817-610: The Congressman Joseph M. McDade Expressway) is a freeway north of downtown Scranton that carries US 11 and PA 307 north from the Mulberry Street Bridge over the Lackawanna River near downtown north to I-81, US 6 , and US 6 Business . It carried unsigned State Route 3027 (SR 3027) until SR 0011 and SR 0307 were moved off their former routes to match
1896-613: The Connecticut (Yankee) settlers. The Yankee settlers would become citizens of Pennsylvania and their property claims would be restored prior to the Decree of Trenton. As part of the compromise, Pennsylvania would establish a new county in Northeastern Pennsylvania . The Yankees agreed to the terms. On September 25, 1786, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a resolution which created Luzerne County. It
1975-532: The Connecticut settlers away from the valley. By November, the Yankees returned with a greater force. They captured and destroyed Fort Dickinson in Wilkes-Barre. With that victory, a new state (which was separate from both Connecticut and Pennsylvania) was proposed. The new state was to be named Westmoreland . To ensure that they didn't lose the land, Pennsylvania's state government negotiated a compromise with
2054-554: The Decree of Trenton, on December 30, 1782, the confederation government officially decided that the region belonged to Pennsylvania, and the Wyoming Valley became part of Northumberland County . During the Revolutionary War two forts were built at Wilkes-Barre. Fort Wilkes-Barre was completed in 1778 but was abandoned and burned later that year following the Battle of Wyoming . Fort Wyoming (later renamed Fort Dickinson )
2133-901: The Governor Rittner Highway. In and around Harrisburg, the highway crossed the Susquehanna River to directly service the city using the Carlisle Pike, Market Street, and the Market Street Bridge, leaving north via a concurrency with US 22 (which at the time followed Front Street out of Harrisburg). A bypass route of US 11 also existed at the time in Lemoyne, which has since been superseded by US 11 proper between Market and Front streets. In 1941, US 11 and PA 33 swapped alignments, with US 11 moving to Governor Rittner Highway and PA 33 moving to Walnut Bottom Road. Additionally, US 11
2212-610: The Green Ridge section of the city. At the end of Green Ridge Street at North Scranton Junior High School, they turned right onto Main Avenue entering the Providence section of the city. After a half mile (0.80 km), they turned left onto West Market Street. PA 307 left US 11 by turning left onto Keyser Avenue. US 11 continued on West Market Street to Saltry Place, where it turned left for one block then right onto
2291-494: The Harrison Avenue bridge and continued about a mile to Myrtle Street. PA 307 and US 11 turned right on Myrtle Street for one block then left on Wheeler Avenue. After entering the borough of Dunmore and crossing the old Erie Railroad tracks, the pair turned left on Cherry Street then bore right onto South Blakely Street, entering downtown Dunmore. They turned left onto Green Ridge Street, reentering Scranton in
2370-480: The Lehigh Valley to the south. The Susquehanna River flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city. Wilkes-Barre was founded in 1769, incorporated as a borough in 1806, and formally re-incorporated as a city in 1869. The city grew rapidly in the 19th century after the discovery of nearby coal reserves and the arrival of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, who provided
2449-746: The North Scranton Expressway. From it, it joined its current alignment heading toward Clarks Summit. At one time, this final intersection with the expressway was a four-way traffic circle servicing Oak Street, Market Street, the Scranton Carbondale Highway (US 6), and Northern Boulevard (today's US 11). Route 11 in Pennsylvania is where Nan Adams has her tire blow-out in the "Twilight Zone" episode "The Hitch Hiker". Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania Interstate 81 ( I-81 )
U.S. Route 11 in Pennsylvania - Misplaced Pages Continue
2528-552: The United States switched to other energy sources, and most coal operations had left Wilkes-Barre by the end of World War II . The 1959 Knox Mine Disaster , resulting in the flooding of numerous mines, marked the end of large-scale coal mining in the area. Industrial restructuring also caused the city to lose jobs and begin a decades-long decline. In 1926, Planters Peanuts Company was founded in Wilkes-Barre by two Italian immigrants. The company maintained its headquarters in
2607-529: The area's coal mines were flooded and could not be reopened. In the 21st century, the city's population is roughly half that of its peak population of the 1930s, though it remains the largest city in Luzerne County and the 13th-largest city in Pennsylvania. Wilkes-Barre is located 49 miles (79 km) north-northwest of Allentown , 97 miles (156 km) north-northwest of Philadelphia , and 106 miles (171 km) west-northwest of New York City . By
2686-506: The borough of Greencastle , serving the boroughs of Chambersburg and Carlisle , before reaching Harrisburg , the capital. After that, it climbs into the Pocono Mountains to run through the Wyoming Valley , then exits into New York. It is the longest north–south Interstate in Pennsylvania. I-81 enters Pennsylvania at the Maryland state line about 13 miles (21 km) south of Chambersburg ; it also has its first exit at
2765-524: The canopy and matching street lights in Public Square and across downtown were removed; they were replaced by new green lampposts. Wilkes-Barre celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2006. Several events, including a Beach Boys concert, were planned but canceled due to extremely heavy rains. Most of the city's population was ordered to evacuate on June 28, 2006, and the Bicentennial celebration
2844-479: The city of Wilkes-Barre by the Kirby Family, the park welcomes hundreds of thousands each year. The park is the setting for the city's annual Cherry Blossom Festival (held during the last weekend of April) and the city's July 4 Celebration. Its amenities include tennis courts, a fitness trail, pond, walking paths, running track, softball fields, parking area, volleyball courts, pavilions, and more. Nesbitt Park
2923-406: The city of Wilkes-Barre itself is a smaller town, the larger unofficial city of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre contains nearly half a million residents in roughly 200 square miles. Wilkes-Barre is located approximately 63 miles (101 km) northwest of Allentown , and 113 miles (182 km) northwest of Philadelphia . Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the Pocono Mountains to
3002-412: The city until 1961. In 1929, baseball player Babe Ruth hit one of the longest home runs in history at Artillery Park in Wilkes-Barre. On November 8, 1972, Wilkes-Barre became the birthplace of modern cable television programming when Home Box Office (HBO) launched over the city's Teleservice Cable system (now Service Electric Cable ). Around 365 Teleservice subscribers were the first to receive
3081-508: The city's economy took a major blow from Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. The storm pushed the Susquehanna River to a height of nearly 41 feet (12 m), four feet above the city's levees , flooding downtown with nine feet of water. A total of 128 deaths were attributed to the storm. Most drowning deaths were caused by people trapped in their cars. Almost 400,000 homes and businesses were destroyed and 220,000 Pennsylvanians were left homeless (as were hundreds of thousands in other states). Damage
3160-403: The city's mayor, unveiled his "I believe..." campaign for Wilkes-Barre, which was intended to boost the city's spirits. Construction began on a planned downtown theatre complex, which had a grand opening on June 30, 2006. Renovation of the landmark Hotel Sterling was being pursued by CityVest, a nonprofit developer. The expansion of Wilkes University and King's College took place. Also,
3239-501: The city. The elevation of the downtown area is about 550 feet (170 m) above sea level. As you travel inland, away from the river, the elevation rises. Wilkes-Barre Mountain is a physical barrier southeast of the city. The contiguous network of 5 cities and more than 40 boroughs all built in a straight line in Northeastern Pennsylvania's urban area act culturally and logistically as one continuous city, so while
U.S. Route 11 in Pennsylvania - Misplaced Pages Continue
3318-434: The city. The population density was 6,296.3 inhabitants per square mile (2,431.0/km ). There were 20,294 housing units at an average density of 2,963.1 per square mile (1,144.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 92.30% White , 5.09% African American , 0.11% Native American , 0.79% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.53% from other races , and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of
3397-565: The coal industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania; Wilkes-Barre was nicknamed "The Diamond City" due to its high productivity of mining coal. The growing demand for coal as a domestic heat source resulted in changes to patterns of immigration to Wilkes-Barre in the 19th century. The Pennsylvania guide , compiled by the Writers' Program of the Works Progress Administration in 1940, noted that: Until 1870 all immigration
3476-643: The early 20th century, was one of the industries targeted by the National Child Labor Committee and its hired photographer, Lewis Hine . Many of Hine's subjects were photographed in the mines and coal fields near Wilkes-Barre. The impact of the Hine photographs led to the enactment of child labor laws across the country. The coal industry continued despite several disasters, including an explosion at Wilkes-Barre's Baltimore Colliery in 1919, which killed 92 miners. The industry declined when
3555-605: The east, the Endless Mountains to the north and west, and the Lehigh Valley to the south. The Susquehanna River flows through the center of the valley and defines the northwestern border of the city. Wilkes-Barre houses over one dozen neighborhoods: Under the Köppen climate classification , Wilkes-Barre falls within either a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm
3634-474: The fifth-largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania after the Delaware Valley , Greater Pittsburgh , the Lehigh Valley , and Greater Harrisburg . The contiguous network of five cities and more than 40 boroughs all built in a straight line in Northeastern Pennsylvania's urban core act culturally and logistically as one continuous city, so while the city of Wilkes-Barre itself is a mid-sized city,
3713-402: The former hotel. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 7.2 square miles (19 km ), of which 6.8 square miles (18 km ) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km ), or 4.60%, is water. The city is bordered by the Susquehanna River to the west. Most of Downtown is located on a wide floodplain . Floodwalls were constructed to protect a large percentage of
3792-774: The highway passes near Hershey and Fort Indiantown Gap . At milemarker 89, I-81 meets the western terminus of I-78 ; I-78 picks up the eastward route through the Great Valley and heads toward Allentown and New York City , while I-81 turns back northward, cutting through Blue Mountain at Swatara Gap . From milemarkers 141 to 146, I-81 passes near the city of Hazleton . At exit 151, I-81 meets I-80 . As motorists enter Wilkes-Barre at milemarker 165, I-81 merges with PA 309 for five miles (8.0 km). At exit 175, I-81 meets with PA 315 , which connects to I-476 ( Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension ). In Scranton at milemarker 185, there
3871-419: The larger Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Urban Area contains half a million residents in roughly 300 square miles (780 km ). Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is the cultural and economic center of a region called Northeastern Pennsylvania, which is home to over 1.3 million residents. Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding Wyoming Valley are framed by the Pocono Mountains to the east, the Endless Mountains to the north and west, and
3950-583: The main Susquehanna River, passing through municipalities such as Danville , Bloomsburg , and Berwick (where it crosses I-80 ) prior to reaching the Wilkes-Barre area. North of Wilkes-Barre in Pittston , US 11 breaks from the Susquehanna River and begins to run parallel to I-81 once more. From Wilkes-Barre, the highway goes through nearby Scranton , becoming the North Scranton Expressway north of downtown. The North Scranton Expressway (officially
4029-687: The maximum temperature remains below 32 °F (0.0 °C). The average annual snowfall is 45.1 inches (115 cm) during the winter (in which severe snowstorms are rare). However, when snowstorms do occur, they can disrupt normal routines for several days. Summers are warm with a July average of 73.7 °F (23.2 °C). In an average summer, temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32.2 °C) occur on 11.7 days and but rarely exceed 100 °F (37.8 °C). Spring and fall are unpredictable with temperatures ranging from cold to warm (although they are usually mild). On average, Wilkes-Barre receives 38.72 inches (983 mm) of precipitation each year, which
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#17327724003774108-585: The normally-open levee . The project stretches approximately four blocks from the Luzerne County Courthouse to the intersection of South River Street and West South Street. The River Common has since hosted concerts and charity events. Since completion of the River Common, additional improvements to city infrastructure have been progressing. New crosswalks have been installed downtown, including signage emphasizing that pedestrians have
4187-402: The other. US 11, now to the south of I-81, continues eastward into the western suburbs of Harrisburg as Carlisle Pike. This road serves a major arterial route in eastern Cumberland County . Rumored to have originally been a Native American trail, it is now a significant center of urban sprawl serving much of Harrisburg 's western suburbs. The road passes through Middlesex Township,
4266-483: The overall economy was doing very well, the city was still prone to natural disasters. Besides frequent flooding from the Susquehanna River, Wilkes-Barre also endured a devastating F3 tornado on August 19, 1890 . The twister killed 16 people, injured 50, damaged or destroyed 260 buildings, and cost at least $ 240,000 (in 1890 money). Wilkes-Barre is located within Pennsylvania's Coal Region . The anthracite coal mining industry, and its extensive use of child labor in
4345-577: The parallel segment of I-81. This project will build two high-speed connections between I-476 and I-81: one south of Scranton in Dupont and one north of Scranton in South Abington Township . Tolls on the connections will be paid with E-ZPass or toll by plate . Construction of this project is expected to cost $ 160 million. In 2021, design work on the project resumed, with construction expected to begin in 2025. On October 24, 2018,
4424-624: The population boom. At its peak, Wilkes-Barre had a population of over 86,000 in the 1930s and 40s. New industries were established and the Vulcan Iron Works was a well-known manufacturer of railway locomotives from 1849 to 1954. During Wilkes-Barre's reign as an industrial and economic force in America, several major companies and franchises became based in the city, such as Woolworth 's, Sterling Hotels, Miner's Bank, Bell Telephone , Luzerne National Bank, and Stegmaier . Even though
4503-417: The population. As of the 2010 census , the city was 79.2% White, 10.9% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.4% Asian, and 2.9% were two or more races. Of the population, 11.3% were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry. The Hispanic population was just 1.58% of the population as of the 2000 census . As of the 2000 census , there were 43,123 people, 17,961 households, and 9,878 families residing in
4582-442: The premium cable service when it commenced broadcasts. As local ordinances prohibiting direct-to-cable telecasts of theatrical feature films prevented Time-Life from launching HBO over its New York City-based Sterling Manhattan cable franchise, the company initially sought an agreement with Teleservice to launch it on the provider's Allentown system; possible television blackout conflicts for HBO-televised NBA games, as Allentown
4661-457: The quality of the levees. In 2006, the city made the front page of national newspapers when 200,000 residents were told to evacuate in the wake of flooding that was forecast to reach levels near that of 1972, though the flooding fell short of predictions. In late August 2011, Hurricane Irene , centered off the New Jersey coast, caused the Susquehanna River to rise to flood level, but there
4740-468: The residence of the chief, along with several others, was set ablaze. Chief Teedyuscung perished in the inferno. The Iroquois let the Lenape believe that this atrocity was committed by the settlers. As a result, the Lenape attacked the colonists on October 15, 1763, killing thirty settlers and taking several others as prisoners. Those who managed to escape fled back to New England . The Lenape then burned what
4819-490: The right-of-way. The completion of the James F. Conahan Intermodal Transportation Facility has added parking and relocated Luzerne County buses from their former Public Square staging sites. This has reduced traffic congestion around the square. Private carrier Martz offers coach bus service from the terminal as well. The widening and realignment of Coal Street, a major road connecting Wilkes-Barre City with Wilkes-Barre Township,
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#17327724003774898-634: The road comes to a stack interchange with US 22 and US 322 ; US 322 merges with I-81. Exit 70 is the eastern terminus of the US ;322 concurrency and the northern terminus of I-83 and is located in Colonial Park . For the entire segment between the Mason–Dixon line and I-78, I-81 runs through the Great Valley . North of Harrisburg between I-83/US 322 and I-78,
4977-659: The road exits the Harrisburg area, US 11 and US 15 begin to parallel the Susquehanna River as both head northward. They intersect US 22 / US 322 near Duncannon and US 522 in Selinsgrove . The two routes remain overlapped to an intersection in Shamokin Dam , where US 15 branches off to the northwest, following the path of the West Branch Susquehanna River northward. US 11, in contrast, continues to parallel
5056-563: The signed US 11 and PA 307 alignments (forming SR 6011 and SR 6307). SR 3027 still runs along Mulberry Street from Jefferson Avenue, where US 11 and PA 307 turn southwest, southeast to Harrison Avenue (SR 6011). In the northwest corner of Scranton (referred to as the Notch), US 11 intersects US 6. US 6 joins US 11 westward to Factoryville , where US 11 separates from US 6 and resumes its northerly trek through Susquehanna County to
5135-420: The small unincorporated village of New Kingstown , Silver Spring Township , and Hampden Township . Upon reaching Pennsylvania Route 581 (PA 581), US 11 splits from Carlisle Pike and runs concurrent with PA 581. In Camp Hill , a close suburb of Harrisburg, US 11 stops paralleling I-81 and joins US 15 northward through the western suburbs of Harrisburg, crossing I-81 in this area. As
5214-547: The southern portion of the Capital Beltway . The highway was not fully reopened until the evening of May 13. On April 28, 2016, plans were announced for a Scranton Beltway to use the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) as a bypass for I-81 around the heavily congested segment through Scranton and its suburbs. The turnpike between the two I-81 interchanges carries an average of 10,000 vehicles per day versus 80,000 on
5293-553: The state line, junctioning with Pennsylvania Route 163 (PA 163) there. In Chambersburg at exit 16, it meets U.S. Route 30 (US 30; the Chambersburg Pike to Gettysburg ). About a mile (1.6 km) north of Carlisle at exit 52, it meets US 11 , which connects to the Pennsylvania Turnpike / I-76 (halfway between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh ), since I-81 has no direct interchange with I-76. The stretch of US 11 connecting I-81 to I-76
5372-537: The valley that same year. The Connecticut settlers established Fort Durkee, which was named in honor of their leader, Colonel Durkee. This was immediately followed by the Pennamite-Yankee War —a series of skirmishes between Pennsylvanian and Connecticut settlers. The land changed hands several times between the two groups. The Congress of the Confederation was asked to resolve the matter. With
5451-579: Was also proposed. After the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 was passed, plans were changed to build a free Interstate Highway rather than a toll road. The first section to be built ran from PA 347 in Dunmore to US 11 in northern Scranton, this section opening in 1960. All of I-81 in Pennsylvania was completed by the 1970s. Construction cost nearly $ 443 million (equivalent to $ 2.68 billion in 2023 ). On May 9, 2013,
5530-400: Was completed in 2012. The new Coal Street provides four lanes over the original two lanes, making travel between the highly commercial Wilkes-Barre Township and the city much easier. In 2013, Hotel Sterling was demolished due to flood damage in the hotel's basement (which compromised the building's integrity). As of today, several buildings are in the process of being constructed on the site of
5609-407: Was constructed when the Continental Army reoccupied the Wyoming Valley and served as a staging area for the Sullivan Expedition in 1779. After the Revolutionary War the State of Pennsylvania ruled that the Connecticut settlers were not citizens of Pennsylvania. They were not permitted to vote and were ordered to give up their property claims. In May 1784, armed men from Pennsylvania force-marched
5688-623: Was estimated to be $ 2.1 billion in Pennsylvania alone. President Richard Nixon sent aid to the area, after flying over in his helicopter on his way to his Camp David retreat (on June 24, 1972). Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Wilkes-Barre attempted to prevent the damage from storms as intense as Agnes by building a levee system that rises 41 feet (12 m); completed in January 2003, the network of levees cost roughly $ 250 million. It has successfully resisted other threatening floods in 1996, 2004, and 2006. The Army Corps of Engineers has praised
5767-493: Was formed from a section of Northumberland County and named after Chevalier de la Luzerne , a French soldier and diplomat during the 18th century. Wilkes-Barre became the seat of government for the new territory. This resolution ended the idea of creating a new state. In 1797, several decades after the community's founding, Louis Philippe , later the King of France from 1830 to 1840, stayed in Wilkes-Barre while traveling to
5846-552: Was from the north of Europe, with the Irish predominating. Then mine operators sent representatives to central and southern Europe to induce peasants to come to the American coal fields. Many of the older workers consequently were supplanted by newcomers willing to work for low wages, and bitter conflicts followed. The cleavage along national lines, however, gave to Wilkes-Barre such picturesque sections as Five Points, now East End, where
5925-428: Was left of the settlement. In 1769, the Yankees returned to the Wyoming Valley. Five townships were established by Connecticut. Each one was five square miles and divided amongst forty settlers. Wilkes-Barre Township was one of the original townships; it was named in honor of John Wilkes and Isaac Barré —two British members of Parliament who supported colonial America . Pennsylvanians (Pennamites) also arrived in
6004-572: Was located within the Philadelphia 76ers 's 75-mile [121 km] blackout radius, resulted in Teleservice electing to offer it on its Wilkes-Barre system instead. Wilkes-Barre became the site of a mass shooting on September 25, 1982. George Emil Banks killed 13 people and wounded one. Banks was deemed incompetent to be executed yet currently resides on death row. Manufacturing and retail remained Wilkes-Barre's strongest industries, but
6083-684: Was no cause for alarm. Then, from September 6 to 8, heavy rains from the inland remnants of Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Katia offshore funneled heavy rain over the Wyoming Valley and into the Susquehanna River watershed. The Susquehanna swelled to record levels across the state. In Wilkes-Barre, it crested on September 9 at an all-time record of 42.66 feet (13 m), nearly 2 feet (0.6 m) higher than water levels reached during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The levees protected Wilkes-Barre, but nearby boroughs did not escape, as West Pittston , Plymouth , and parts of Plains Township were affected by extreme flooding. On June 9, 2005, Thomas M. Leighton ,
6162-419: Was postponed to Labor Day weekend. The Riverfront revitalization project (River Common), broke ground in 2007 and was completed in early 2010. It has made the riverfront accessible to the public. The area also has a new amphitheater for live performances and improved access through ramps and sidewalks. Fountains and color-changing lights have been added underneath two bridges which carry pedestrian traffic across
6241-430: Was rerouted to the west side of the river, bypassing Harrisburg entirely and replacing US 11 Bypass in Lemoyne. Prior to 1989, US 11 followed an older alignment bypassing downtown Scranton. From Pittston Avenue, US 11 turned right onto Moosic Street and climbed the hill. At Crown Avenue, it turned left, joining PA 307 which was coming from the opposite direction on Moosic Street. Together, they crossed
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