STV Selected to Lead Major I-81 Reconstruction in Luzerne County

PHILADELPHIA, PA — STV today announced it will design the reconstruction of Interstate 81 (I-81) from Dorrance to Nuangola in Luzerne County. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) District 4-0 selected STV to modernize the 5.5-mile stretch on one of northeastern Pennsylvania’s most heavily traveled freight and commuter corridors, which carries more than 42,200 vehicles per day and serves as a critical north–south link to upstate New York, New England states and Canada.

The project will reduce congestion, improve highway geometry and address mobility issues throughout the I-81 corridor from Dorrance to Nuangola townships. These improvements will enhance safety, support regional freight mobility and strengthen long-term system reliability. To advance these priorities, the team will:

• Reconstruct deteriorated pavement along I-81;
• Replace aging bridges and culverts;
• Improve geometric alignments throughout the corridor;
• Evaluate the need for upgraded truck parking at the I-81 southbound rest stop (MP 158).

“I-81 is one of the Northeast’s most important freight routes, carrying some of the region’s highest truck volumes,” said Michael Grantner, engineering director at STV. “We’re designing a safer, more resilient highway that reduces crashes and congestion, supports economic growth and keeps freight and commuters moving for decades.”

To minimize disruption, STV’s design maintains two lanes of traffic in each direction during construction using staged mainline reconstruction and temporary crossovers. Improvements also include new roadside safety features and a new full-depth pavement structure.

STV provides design, engineering and construction management services to deliver complex highway and bridge projects in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Notable projects in the Keystone State include the I-95 Betsy Ross Interchange Reconstruction, Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) Northern Section, the Accelerated Bridge Construction Program on I-76 and the Milepost 320-326 Widening and Reconstruction. Nationally, STV’s portfolio includes the Harrison Street Viaduct Reconstruction in Illinois, Van Wyck Expressway Viaduct Rehabilitation in New York, Logan International Airport Roadway Improvements in Massachusetts and the US 281/Route 66 Bridgeport Bridge in Oklahoma.

About STV

STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,300 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 34th in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 11th in its transportation category. Learn more at stvinc.com.